Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 206)
The main policy adopted is ensuring sustainable renewable energy (RE) resource management in the country, consistent with the Philippines' commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is mandated to lead the implementation of sustainable renewable energy resource management.
EO No. 186 (s. 2015) was repealed by EO No. 206, while EO No. 223 (s. 1987) and Proclamation No. 853 (s. 1992) were reinstated.
RA No. 9513, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, designates the DOE as the lead agency to implement policies and programs for the accelerated development and advancement of renewable energy resources, which EO No. 206 supports by mandating DOE to lead sustainable RE resource management.
Under EO No. 223 (s. 1987), PNOC had jurisdiction, control, management, protection, development, and rehabilitation of watershed areas surrounding geothermal reservations, including specifically named geothermal reservations.
Watershed areas are crucial for geothermal and hydropower projects as these renewable energy sources depend on the sustainable use and protection of watershed areas to ensure their viability.
EO No. 206 recognizes that commercial exploitations other than geothermal and hydropower projects threaten the sustainability of watersheds and therefore implies exclusive use for renewable energy projects to protect these areas.
The EO allows DOE and other government agencies to enter into agreements as necessary to effectively implement the policy in line with existing laws and international commitments under the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
According to the separability clause in Section 4, if any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of the order shall continue to be valid and subsisting.
EO No. 206 took effect immediately upon signing on May 20, 2016.