Filipino JICA scholars seek acceleration of PH renewable energy adoption

Two science research specialists from the Department of Energy (DOE) successfully completed their graduate degrees in Japan under the scholarship program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) Long Term.

Scholars Joric Timothy Alimon, 30, and Jomarie Permejo, 31, are two new additions to the roster of young leaders that received quality Japanese education. As the two Filipino scholars look up to Japan as a future leader in sustainability and renewable energy (RE), they capitalized on this opportunity by conducting research to advance knowledge on the Philippine energy sector.

In his 1-year Master’s Program of Public Policy at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan under KCCP Green Transformation Human Resources Development (HRD) for Energy Sector, Alimon focused his research on accelerating the integration of renewable energy in the Philippines. In particular, he looked at the merits of three mechanisms, namely, Feed-in Tariffs (FiT), Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and Net Metering (NM), in integrating RE sources such as solar and wind. Learning from Japan’s renewable energy policies and experiences, Alimon recommended the adoption of similar frameworks to address the Philippines’ energy sustainability concerns and encourage increased investments in and implementation of renewable technologies.

Alimon (right) and his professor in GRIPS.

Given her background in geothermal energy, Permejo studied the application of magnetotelluric method (MT), a method used in geothermal exploration, for the modeling of reservoir structure in geothermal sites such as Buguias-Tinoc in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the Philippines. During her 3-year Master’s Course in Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan under KCCP HRD in the Mining Sector or Kizuna Program, she not only deepened her knowledge on geothermal energy, but also expanded her network as she was introduced to Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kyokuto Valve, and Kyushu Electric Power Company, which is the perfect merit to develop her capability.

Jomarie Permejo at Kyushi University.

As the government pushes for inclusive and sustainable development propelled by modern and clean energy technologies, Alimon and Permejo look to take a more active role in policy reforms, adoption of new technologies, and implementation of innovative programs in support of the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050.

Beyond their education, JICA’s scholarship also afforded the two an enriching, non-academic immersion to Japan’s culture and traditions. They found this experience as valuable as their professional and academic journey as JICA scholars. They two are expected to be powerful traction to strengthen more robust bonds between two nations.