Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson called on stakeholders to support the provincial government’s target for “Reliable, Renewable, Available, Accessible, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Occidental Negros, with 2030 (RRAAASEON 2030) as the target deadline”.
Lacson issued the call in his keynote address at the Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit at Santuario de La Salle in Bacolod City on Friday, May 3.
The inputs from the summit will help shape the crafting of the Negros Occidental Energy Development Road Map to 2030, he said.
Lacson also announced that the provincial government will walk its talk by undertaking the solarization of seven of its main buildings, with the installation of a total of 1,270 KW total installed capacity of solar PV systems that will save an estimated 132,080 KWh to 158,000 KWh per month.
At P12 per KWh, this translates to a cost savings of P1.5 million to P1.8 million every month, he said.
The bidding for the installation of the solar panels for the seven Negros Occidental provincial government buildings is set soon, he said.
Among the buildings that will be using solar power are the provincial Capitol, the Negros First CyberCentre, Negros Residences and the Food Terminal Market of Occidental Negros in Bacolod City,
The winning bidder will install the panels and the provincial government will pay the firm for the power it consumes on a monthly basis, Lacson said.
Lacson urged other LGUs in Negros Occidental to follow the examples set by La Carlota City Mayor Dr. Rex Jalandoon and Sipalay City Mayor Gina Montilla Lizares who have shifted towards the use of solar power.
He said the stakeholders’ consultative power summit for energy security is a result of common concerns on persistent brownouts and even blackouts, coupled with high electricity prices.
“But, we must all situate our concerns in the larger context of climate change challenges,” he said, in stressing the need to shift towards renewable energy.
Lacson said Negros Occidental will hold a Renewable Energy (RE) Week on May 20 to 24, which will be start of its annual celebration
“We want to ensure energy security for our province, in ways that are not harmful to our people and our environment,” he said.
“Given the larger context of climate change challenges, we also believe in a Just Energy Transition to Renewable Energy, to lessen carbon emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change,” he said.
“At best, government can gather the collective vision, lead the way forward, and provide needed support with its own resources, however limited. But what will really take this endeavor forward is concerted action by all stakeholders in the different power sectors,” Lacson said.
Also present at the summit were Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and former governor Rafael Coscolluela, provincial consultant on energy and environment concerns.
Benitez said Jeanette Patindol, lead researcher of the Negros Occidental Power Sector Assessment Study, “did a very good job identifying the challenges and obstacles moving forward”.
What he is looking for aside from reliable power supply is affordable rates for consumers, Benitez said.
Buzon said “I really thank God for this development, this is long overdue. It’s a very, very positive action amid current climate disasters.”
“Very comprehensive suggestions were made at the summit that can be achieved if we get our acts together”, Buzon said.
“The summit got everyone involved and talking about power security for Negros Occidental and what needs to be done to achieve that”, Coscolluela said.*