Chapter 166: Getting Closer

May 12th, 2028Malacañang Policy Transition Hall – Industry Cluster Consultation

2:18 PM

The hall looked different this time.

Not like a formal council chamber.

Not like a press briefing room.

It looked like an organized workspace.

Foldable screens on the walls showing agency charts.

Tables arranged in clusters — not VIP rows.

Coffee dispensers in the back, stacks of policy printouts sitting on long tables, labeled:

ENERGY — INFRASTRUCTURE — FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT — REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Timothy arrived with his folder tucked under his arm. No media coverage, no cameras. Just PSG officers directing people to their assigned tables.

His nameplate was already there:

PRIVATE SECTOR – HEAVY INDUSTRY / ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

He sat beside representatives from San Miguel Global Holdings, Meralco Industrial, Bank of the Philippines Maxima, and an engineering consortium from Mindanao. Across the room were seats marked:

DOE | DTI | NEDA | PNRI | SEC | DOF | BOI | LGU TRANSITION LIAISONS

It wasn’t symbolism.

It was logistics.

When President-elect Len Obredo walked in, she didn’t go to a podium. She took a seat at one of the tables — level with everyone else, tablet open, stylus ready.

"Let’s begin," she said simply.

No speeches.

No ceremonial greetings.

No political fluff.

The meeting was split into three blocks:

Economic Streamlining & Business Barriers Infrastructure and Investment Clusters Strategic Energy Policy

Timothy was scheduled under block three — but he was listening to block one closely.

A telecom executive stood first.

"Our business permits take months. Sometimes years. Every LGU has different rules, different interpretations. There is no central authority for infrastructure projects — only layers of approvals."

A logistics owner added, "We tried building a regional warehouse. Took 27 months just to get environmental clearance and land conversion approval. The construction took 11 months. The paperwork took twice as long as the building."

A DTI policymaker acknowledged it.

"We are drafting the ’Unified Approval Framework’ — a central digital system. One portal, one file, one process."

Across the room, people nodded.

The government was listening — not defending.

Then it was Timothy’s turn.

"Mr. Guerrero," the moderator said. "Heavy Industry and Energy Infrastructure."

Timothy stood. He didn’t bring slides this time. No projections on the wall. No visuals.

Just words.

"Everyone here already knows the problem," he started. "Permits take too long. Too many agencies. No clear timeline. Too much interpretation — not enough policy."

He didn’t pause dramatically. He just kept going.

"But my concern isn’t just delays. It’s predictability."

A few agency officials looked up from their laptops.

"If it takes two years, fine. As long as we know it will take two years. But in the Philippines, the problem isn’t just slow approval."

He looked around the room.

"It’s unpredictable approval."

Silence.

Executives shifted in their seats. That one hit home.

He continued.

"Aurion Semiconductor — three years of filings. TG Motors PH — 19 months. TG Energy Systems — ongoing, no clear timeline. Different departments, different interpretations of the same laws."

He wasn’t complaining.

He was diagnosing.

"That is what keeps investors away. They don’t mind cost. They mind uncertainty."

The DOE Undersecretary nodded.

A NEDA official quietly took notes.

Timothy continued — not aggressive, but clear.

"Foreign investors want one thing: When they put money in, they want to know what rules will still apply ten years from now."

Heads nodded.

The President-elect looked straight at him.

Then, Timothy shifted into energy.

"Madam President-elect," he said, "the Philippines is entering an industrial age. We’re building factories, data centers, transit infrastructure, green logistics, semiconductor fabs."

"And we are still powering all of it with coal, diesel, and unreliable grids."

Some people looked uncomfortable. Others leaned forward.

"This country will not industrialize without stable energy. And we don’t just need cheap electricity — we need firm electricity. Reliable. Predictable."

He paused naturally.

"Solar and wind are important — but they do not power semiconductor plants, high-efficiency charge clusters, or grid-scale hydrogen refineries."

He looked directly at DOE officials.

"We need nuclear."

There it was.

Not thrown aggressively.

Not stylized.

Just stated.

A foreign bank representative raised a brow.

The PNRI Director looked alert.

The moderator signaled him to continue.

Timothy didn’t raise his tone.

"I’m not asking the government to build nuclear plants. I’m asking the government to let them be built."

Someone from the environmental policy group opened his mouth — but Timothy wasn’t dismissive.

"Fourth-generation reactors," he explained calmly. "Passive cooling. Walk-away safe. Zero meltdown risk. No long-term human intervention needed."

Timothy then placed a document on the table. DOE and NEDA personnel leaned over to read the header.

TG ENERGY SYSTEMS

Strategic Reactor Deployment Plan

(2028–2036)

"It starts with one," Timothy said. "Pilot SMR by 2029. A small modular reactor for industrial energy — powering a manufacturing district, electric transit depot, and data processing hub."

An official from BOI asked, "That’s private-funded?"

"One hundred percent," Timothy replied. "No need for government funding. Just permitting clarity, stable policy, and a unified regulatory framework."

The President-elect finally spoke.

"What would that framework look like?"

Timothy answered without looking at notes.

"Single nuclear regulatory authority. One agency. Not scattered across DOE, DOST, PNRI, DENR, LGUs, and NEDA. One body. Fully technical. Non-partisan. Independent."

He paused.

"And politics stays out of engineering."

Some in the room actually clapped — softly, but real.

Even the transport sector representatives — who were not energy experts — nodded.

The DOE Undersecretary finally spoke.

"If we give you that clarity — can you bring investors?"

Timothy nodded once.

"They’re already waiting."

Someone from San Miguel Global looked at him.

"You’re actually pushing through with it?"

"Not pushing," Timothy answered. "Building."

The discussion shifted to policy, timelines, and next steps.

The President-elect listened — really listened — before finally closing the session.

"We will draft a Special Energy and Industrial Acceleration Act," she announced. "And we will include nuclear — not as theory, not as debate — but as policy."

She looked at the private sector table.

"For the first time — we’re not just asking if it’s possible. We are planning how to do it."

Timothy didn’t react dramatically.

He just nodded — because that was enough.

The meeting ended without fanfare.

No photos. Follow current novels on NoveI-Fire.ɴet

No handshakes for show.

Just policy papers being collected, contacts being exchanged, working groups being assigned.

As Timothy walked out, one of the economic advisors stopped him.

"Guerrero," he said. "You do realize—if nuclear becomes real here—you’re not just building a company."

"You’re building a country."

Timothy adjusted his cuff.

"No," he answered calmly.

"I’m making sure it can power itself."