PUBLIC CONSULTATION. Department of Energy officials, led by Planning Division chief Michael Sinocruz (left), talk to Cebu media during a break in the public consultation on the Philippine Energy Plan 2018-2040 in Cebu City on Tuesday (Sept. 3, 2019). With him are Energy Power Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Irma Exconde and DOE Visayas OIC-Director Jose Rey Maleza. (PNA photo by Luel Galarpe)
CEBU CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday urged local government units (LGU) in Cebu to create their own energy plans to secure their respective energy supply as well as help steer the country closer towards sustainable prosperity.
Michael Sinocruz, Planning Division chief of DOE's Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, made the exhortation during the public consultation and information, education and communication campaign on the Philippine Energy Plan 2018-2040 at Hotel Elizabeth here in Cebu City.
Sinocruz said local energy planning is very important as this would help execute projects and programs cited under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP).
“The LGUs must include their energy plans in their local development planning as these are essential in our exploration of potential energy sources. The programs and plans under the PEP must be highlighted in the local development plan of the LGUs,” Sinocruz said in Tagalog.
Energy Power Industry Management Bureau assistant director Irma Exconde also said LGUs have a very important role in development planning.
“Vital information and inputs from the LGUs' energy plan will help us determine how much power supply will be needed for the arrival of new industries in their locality,” Exconde said in Tagalog.
She said the local energy plan will also help power utilities determine if they have enough supply to meet the requirement or demand of consumers.
DOE Visayas OIC-Director Jose Rey Maleza said Bohol has already formulated its local energy plan years earlier, but it hasn't been strengthened yet.
Maleza said the municipality of Alegria, Cebu has also organized its local energy group and, with the help of DOE, will be officially activated in December.
“We are encouraging other LGUs to do the same. Although the Visayas Regional Energy Plan has already been scheduled to be held next year, we are still encouraging the LGUs to have their own energy plan,” Maleza said.
He said local energy plans must include not only power, but also other aspects of the energy sector, like utilization of renewable energies and the use of alternative fuels and energy technologies.
The public consultation aimed to inform stakeholders of the country's energy demand and supply outlook for the planning horizon as well as the roadmaps of the energy sector towards the fulfillment of its overall objectives by 2040.
It was attended by officials of other government agencies, representatives of electric cooperatives, and power and energy stakeholders in the Visayas. (PNA)
