The Department of Energy (DOE) has received P57.4 million from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which represents PCSO’s 2023 contribution to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (RETF).

Under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, 1.5 percent of PCSO’s net annual income should be allocated to the RETF to support projects that promote the development and use of clean energy technologies.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara formally accepted the check on behalf of the department and thanked PCSO for its continued support.

“This contribution is not just a financial boost —it’s a step forward in expanding energy access, innovation, and sustainability,” she said in a news release on Tuesday.

The DOE, through the RETF Committee, has been actively collecting and managing these funds following the issuance of Department Circular No. DC2022-06-0018, which laid down the guidelines for fund sourcing, accounting, and auditing.

To ensure the effective use of the RETF, the DOE signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in collaboration with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), to support selected research and development initiatives.

These include projects on sustainable aviation fuel production, renewable energy mapping systems, and solar photovoltaic (PV) market assessments.

This milestone reflects the government’s continued commitment to a cleaner, more secure energy future through collaboration, innovation, and targeted investments.

PNA PHOTO