• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental, in tandem with the Department of Energy and University of St La Salle-Bacolod, will officially present its SecuRe Energy Roadmap (Energy Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan) during a multi sectoral session with stakeholders on Nov. 21 at the Nature’s Village in Talisay City.
Provincial Consultant on Energy and Environmental Concerns, Rafael Coscolluela, said the Roadmap spells out a comprehensive program in line with the goal of securing Reliable, Renewable, Accessible, Affordable, Available and Sustainable Energy in Occidental Negros by 2030 (RRAAASE-ON 2030).
Coscolluela said the morning session will convene a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including representatives from power generation companies, distribution utilities, business and industry leaders, civil society groups, academic institutions, financing institutions, and local government units, to be followed by a forum, and expected to be attended by Energy Undersecretary F.W. “Wimpy” Fuentebella, which aims to discuss vital energy development concerns with local governments
Among the topics to be discussed are the Energy One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act, the Local Energy Code, the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), an overview of RE potentials in Negros, and the roles of the LGUs in the downstream Oil Industry.
Coscolluela said the Energy Development Roadmap of Negros Occidental is a blueprint co-created through extensive consultation with stakeholders over the past months. It embodies the SecuRE Negros goal of making Negros Occidental an energy-secure
Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming summit, saying that the launch of the Energy Development Roadmap “is a testament to our collective commitment to ensuring power security for the province and staying at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.
This roadmap, according to Lacson, “is not just a plan; it is a call to action for all Negrenses to unite and build a future where energy is sustainable, reliable and accessible to all.
The forum is also expected to provide the Department of Energy with a venue to collaborate with all our local governments on vital energy concerns.” | GB
