UMak Center for Energy and Environment

31/03/2026

As Women’s Month comes to a close, the Center for Energy and Environment proudly celebrates and thanks the incredible women who have stepped forward to champion our mission for renewable, responsible energy and environmental stewardship.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Center Director, Atty. Angel Chona Grace Valero-Nuñez, whose leadership continues to inspire meaningful change. To our remarkable alumni lawyers and dedicated student officers—your passion and commitment ensure that the Center’s vision will continue to grow and make an impact for generations to come.

Your strength, leadership, and purpose drive a more sustainable future for all. 💚⚡

More power to these amazing women!

28/03/2026

An hour off, a future on.

This Earth Hour, the Center for Energy and Environment invites you to go beyond the switch.

Join millions around the world in turning off non-essential lights for one hour and reflecting on the power we hold to protect our planet. Small actions, when done together, create real impact.

⏰ March 28, 2026, 8:30 PM
📍 Wherever you are

Let this hour be a reminder that sustainability is not a moment, but a movement.

17/03/2026

Mother. Sister. Woman.

Women bring balance and harmony to the world – they give us life, they give us peace, they give us enchantment. They are the nurturers, the carers, the soft heart of our species. The term Mother Nature is no accident – women are life!

They are the light of our homes, bringing energy, guidance, and strength to every household. Mothers who champion sustainable practices in daily life. Changemakers who drive innovation, protect natural resources, and lead the way in energy and environmental solutions.

This International Women’s Month, we honor the mothers, sisters, and women whose care, courage, and leadership light our homes, safeguard our planet, and inspire a sustainable future for all.

08/03/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

"With the magnitude of the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the Philippines needs to permanently establish an expansive Energy Contingency Plan that will serve as a constant guidebook for implementation of certain actions during oil and other energy resource supply disruptions."

By: Atty. Jose M. Layug, Jr., PERPI EB Member

Read the full statement here: https://tinyurl.com/PressStatement01

02/01/2026

📢 ANNOUNCEMENT | UMak School of Law Admissions.

Dear Aspiring Lawyers,

The University of Makati School of Law (UMak SOL) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the UMak Law School Admission Test (UMak LSAT).

Interested applicants must submit the following requirements via email to 📩 [email protected]

Application Requirements:
1. Updated Curriculum Vitae.
2. Transcript of Records (Certified true copy).
3. Letter of Intent addressed to Dean Emeritus Jejomar C. Binay, thru Executive Dean Jose M. Layug, Jr.
4. Handwritten essay explaining why you deserve to be a UMak Law Scholar.

This is your chance to be part of a vibrant community of legal scholars and one of the recognized top-performing law school in the country. Seize this opportunity to embark on a fulfilling journey towards a career in law.

21/10/2025

🌿 Another Fruitful Meeting for the Environment! 🌏

21 October 2025

UMak School of Law (UMak SOL), through its Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), recently held an exploratory meeting with ClientEarth, a global environmental law organization. This aligns with UMak SOL’s ongoing advocacy for renewable energy, climate justice, and evidence-based environmental policies.

Founded in 2008, ClientEarth has established a strong global presence with offices in London, Brussels, Warsaw, Berlin, Beijing, Madrid, and Los Angeles. In Asia, the organization works to strengthen legal frameworks to address climate change, accelerate the shift to clean, accessible energy, and protect nature. They work closely with governments, industry, and civil society to build a sustainable future where people and the planet can thrive together.

The meeting, made possible with the help of our long-time partner Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), opens doors to exciting new collaborations focused on environmental protection and green energy initiatives.

UMak was honored to welcome Atty. Tim Guanzon from ClientEarth’s Asia team, who provided valuable insights on how environmental challenges are evolving globally — and how these lessons can guide climate action here in the Philippines. Also present was Atty. John Menguito from PEJC, who continues to support our mission of empowering future lawyers through climate advocacy.

With Dean Jord Jharoah Valenton and CEE Director Atty. Francisco M. Samonte, IV representing UMak, we look forward to rolling out high-impact campaigns and reaching even wider audiences in the fight for a greener future.

🌱⚖️

02/10/2025

♻️ WASTE TO ENERGY: Promise or Peril? ♻️

What a day of dialogue, debate, and discovery! 🙌 The Waste to Energy Summit 2025 brought together experts, advocates, and changemakers to unpack the legal, scientific, and public health dimensions of WTE in the Philippines.

From powerful keynote insights to thought-provoking panel discussions, the event proved that the future of waste and energy is a conversation we must all be part of. 💡🌍

Here are the highlights of our one-day summit at the University of Makati 📸✨

24/09/2025

🌏 Get Ready for Tomorrow’s Summit! 🌿

Tomorrow, September 25, we gather for a full day of learning, discussion, and inspiration as we welcome a distinguished roster of speakers who are at the forefront of environmental advocacy, law, science, and technology. From addressing the urgent realities of climate change to exploring Waste-to-Energy solutions and legal frameworks for sustainability, our speakers will bring diverse expertise and powerful insights that will shape the conversations of the day.

This summit is more than just a series of talks—it’s an opportunity to deepen our understanding of today’s environmental challenges, engage with experts and champions of sustainability, and be inspired to take action in our own communities. Join us as we listen, learn, and collaborate for a greener and more sustainable future. 🌱✨

15/09/2025

♻️ WASTE TO ENERGY: Promise or Peril? ♻️
With more than 13 Waste-to-Energy (WTE) projects spread across the Philippines, the technology is being championed as a two-fold solution: reducing the country’s 61,000 metric tons of daily waste while generating much-needed power. Against the backdrop of a worsening energy crisis, WTE is gaining momentum as local governments look for bold answers to decades-old problems.

While WTE has gained traction nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, the technology faces strong opposition from environmental advocates and watchdog groups. Critics argue that it may conflict with the Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, while questions remain about its classification under renewable energy policies. This tug-of-war raises crucial questions: are we embracing a cure-all, or merely applying a costly band-aid solution?

On September 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the Waste to Energy Summit will take place at Room 1012, Health and Physical Sciences Building, University of Makati. This one-day event will bring together subject matter experts, and advocates to examine WTE through the lenses of law, science, and public health. It will serve as a vital space for dialogue, accountability, and collective action toward sustainable solutions.

👉 Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, engage, and take part in shaping the national conversation on waste, energy, and the environment.

08/09/2025

🌱 Beyond Waste: Energy, Environment, and Accountability 🌱

The WASTE TO ENERGY SUMMIT brings together experts, advocates, and stakeholders for a powerful one-day symposium tackling the pressing issue of plastic pollution and the growing Waste-to-Energy (WTE) initiatives in the Philippines. As the nation faces mounting environmental challenges, this event explores the legal, scientific, and health implications of WTE technologies through a multi-sectoral lens .

📍 Happening on September 25, 2025, at Room 1012 of the University of Makati’s Health and Physical Sciences Building, the summit is jointly organized by the UMak Center for Energy and Environment and the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC).

Be part of the dialogue on environmental justice, energy sustainability, and responsible innovation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be informed, engaged, and inspired to take action!

19/05/2025