CEBU CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) has urged local governments in Cebu province to come up with their own energy plans and secure their respective energy supply to help steer the country closer towards sustainable prosperity.
Michael Sinocruz, who heads the DOE’s Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, made the exhortation during a recent consultation on the “Philippine Energy Plan 2018-2040” at Hotel Elizabeth here.
He said local energy planning is very important as this would help execute projects and programs cited under the Philippine Energy Plan. “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.
Assistant Director Irma Exconde, of the DOE’s Power Industry Management Bureau, also said that 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.
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 in 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,” he 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. (Luel Galarpe)
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