Negros Occidental officials and private sector stakeholders signed a covenant of commitment to support a “SecuRE Negros Energy Development Roadmap” at a Provincial Energy Summit at Natures Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, Nov. 21.
A Provincial Energy Code to ensure that the campaign for power security and energy sector development in Negros Occidental is not only institutionalized but also coordinated, implemented and sustained effectively was proposed during the roadmap presentation.
Rafael Coscolluela, Provincial Consultant on Energy and Environmental Concerns, who presented the roadmap, said the Provincial Energy Code will ensure inclusive participation of industry stakeholders in all matters concerning energy.
He also pushed for an executive order establishing “SecuRE Negros” as a Provincial Flagship Program and adopting the roadmap as its implementing guide.
Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the roadmap that sets doable targets for more affordable energy was well studied and very inspiring.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the SecuRE Negros Roadmap, a Provincial Energy Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan, “tells us what we want to achieve, what needs to be done, how we will do it, and what kind of challenges we will have to hurdle along the way”.
The initiative aims for a Reliable, Renewable, Affordable, Available, Accessible, and Sustainable Energy for Occidental Negros by 2030.
The summit participants, including Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, signed the Covenant of Commitment to a unified vision of a sustainable and energy-secure future for Negros Occidental.
The signatories said they agree to collectively support the goals and programs set forth in the SecuRE Negros Roadmap.
As stakeholders they pledged to promote renewable energy, support energy sector transformation, adopt energy efficiency and conservation measures, campaign for accessible and affordable power for all, engage in transparent collaboration, educate and empower communities and champion environmental stewardship.
Also signatories to the covenant were Cosocolluela, Br. Joaquin S. Martinez – University of St. La Salle president, Arthur Aguilar – BioPower Group, Roel Castro – Negros Electric and Power Corp., FC Ayeng – VCY Solar Inc., Frank Carbon – Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Joshua Villalobos – Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment and other stakeholders.*