MALACANAN PALACE, MANILA – In support of the Marcos administration’s advocacy to lessen
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and discourage the use of fossil fuels, the Climate Change Commission
(CCC) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have agreed to work together in promoting the use
of renewable energy in the Philippine National Railways.
CCC Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr. was accompanied by GGGI Assistant Director-General Dr. Kyung-
Nam Shin and Green Investment Services Director Naishant Bhardwaj to a meeting with PNR Chairman
Michael Ted Macapagal to discuss potential collaboration that would help the PNR in its initiative to
promote the use of green sources of energy in the railway system in the country.
GGGI is an international intergovernmental treaty-based organization based in Seoul, South Korea, that
works with governments and the private sector to advance green growth policies and initiatives with a
particular focus on using renewable energy to achieve climate resilience and sustainable development.
During the meeting, the potential for developing large scale renewable energy programs were discussed
for the PNR as this would help in reducing GCG emissions not only in the railway system, but in the
entire transportation sector.
“Their visit is quite timely,” says Macapagal. “The PNR is currently moving out of the old diesel
locomotive technology and will soon be running electric trains all over the NSCR project and possibly in
the entire country.”
Commissioner Dela Cruz for his part explained that the project is aligned with the priority agenda of
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who has emphasized the need to address the impacts of climate change
and global warming through the protection and conservation of the environment.
It may be recalled that during the 3 rd APEC Business Advisory Council meeting held in Cebu last July 28,
2023, President Marcos encouraged businesses to ensure that climate change issues are effectively
addressed in a sustainable and reliable manner.
Under the Climate Change Act of 2009, the CCC is mandated to integrate the concept of climate change
into its various policies, plans, programs and projects. It is tasked with enabling the country’s transition
towards a green economy.