Energy and environmental groups on Monday said the recent energy conservation measures adopted by the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro in response to global oil supply disruptions arising from tensions in the Middle East highlight the urgency of accelerating the island’s transition to renewable energy.

Abiding with national government directives, Executive Order No. 04, s. 2026 temporarily compresses the workweek for government employees while enforcing several fuel-saving efficiency and energy conservation measures, including reduction on the use of air-conditioning in offices, stricter limitations on the use of government vehicles, and preference for online meetings.

“Conservation measures are an important immediate response, but they also remind us of the deeper challenge we face,” said Rev. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Director of Calapan’s Diocesan Social Action Commission, and convenor of the Protect the Verde Island Passage network (Protect VIP). “As long as island provinces depend heavily on imported fossil fuels for electricity, communities will remain vulnerable to global crises that are beyond our control.”

Recent reports have warned that diesel-dependent off-grid areas in the Philippines may face electricity price pressure if global oil prices continue to rise, as many isolated grids rely heavily on diesel-fired generators for electricity supply. Advocates emphasized that in Mindoro’s case, the island already has policy foundations supporting a clean energy shift.

In 2023, the provincial government under Governor Dolor declared Oriental Mindoro a “province promoting the innovative development and efficient utilization of clean and renewable energy” through an executive order that also mandated the establishment of a Provincial Power and Energy Council. Earlier on, a study commissioned by the provincial government in 2018 laid pathways for transitioning Oriental Mindoro’s public facilities and energy systems to renewable energy.

“The province has long recognized the importance of renewable energy. What is needed now is to accelerate implementation so that communities can benefit from affordable, reliable, clean energy. Distributed systems like solar rooftops are, at this time, not just a strategic long-term endeavor, but an immediately deployable solution that can cushion the impacts of the crisis for communities in Mindoro and throughout the country,” said Avril De Torres of Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development.

Across Mindoro, several grassroots initiatives are already demonstrating the viability of renewable energy solutions. Indigenous Mangyan communities have begun benefiting from decentralized solar energy systems that power community facilities and provide access to electricity in off-grid areas. Meanwhile, the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan has begun implementing its energy transition roadmap which aims to solarize parishes, schools, and facilities as part of their 75th anniversary celebration.

Just last week, local renewable energy providers participated in the bidding for approximately 40kWp of rooftop solar systems for the first batch of church facilities for church solarization in 2026 in Calapan City, Pinamalayan, and Mansalay.

A recent report by CEED revealed Mindoro’s huge potential for renewable energy of about 34 gigawatts from solar and wind alone, which is even more than the country’s current total energy capacity. 

“Mindoro has an opportunity to become a beacon of hope to the country and prove that an energy system that is resilient to global shocks and responsive to the needs of communities is possible,” De Torres said.

Gariguez noted that accelerating the transition to renewable energy would not only strengthen energy security but also protect the globally significant ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage.

“Moving away from fossil fuels is not only about energy security but also about protecting the biodiversity of the Verde Island Passage and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems,” he added.

Advocates said the province’s recent conservation measures could serve as a timely opportunity to accelerate renewable energy deployment in government buildings, schools, hospitals, and other public institutions, and on passing an ordinance promoting, incentivizing, and prioritizing the use of renewable sources in the province.

“Energy conservation is an important immediate step,” Gariguez said. “But the long-term solution for Mindoro is a full transition toward renewable energy so that we provide electricity that becomes truly mura, maaasahan, at malinis for every Mindoreño.”