ILOILO CITY, June 12 -- Energy Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo challenges Ilonggos to be champions of energy independence.

Speaking during the 128th Independence Day celebration in Iloilo City on Friday, he said the government alone cannot achieve energy security and needs the participation of every Filipino.

"The heroes of the past fought for political freedom. The challenge before us today is to secure economic and energy independence for future generations," he said.

Bacordo said energy security is one of the great challenges facing the nation because the Philippines "remains heavily dependent on imported fuel."

He said the transportation sector relies largely on imported petroleum products, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and l...