Talisay City: Stakeholders from various sectors signed a covenant of commitment to support the goals laid out in the ‘SecuRE Negros Energy Development Roadmap’ during the summit and forum held at Nature’s Village Hotel in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Thursday. The signing, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, capped the presentation of the roadmap, outlining the province’s Energy Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative aims for Reliable, Renewable, Affordable, Available, Accessible, and Sustainable Energy for Occidental Negros by 2030 (RRAAASE-ON 2030). Governor Lacson expressed the significance of the event, stating, “Today, we stand on the threshold of a most meaningful occasion – the beginning of our collective journey towards a SecuRE Negros. The vision of SecuRE Negros is ambitious.”

Lacson further emphasized that the launch of the Energy Development Roadmap is “a testament to our collective commitment to e
nsuring power security for the province and staying at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.” The Provincial Energy Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan outlines the objectives, necessary actions, implementation methods, and challenges anticipated along the way.

During the roadmap presentation, provincial consultant on energy and environmental concerns Rafael Coscolluela highlighted the need for the enactment of the Provincial Energy Code to institutionalize and coordinate the campaign for power security and energy sector development. He advocated for an executive order to establish ‘SecuRE Negros’ as a Provincial Flagship Program, adopting the roadmap as the implementing guide.

As part of Phase 1, which is expected to be implemented from 2024 to 2025, an energy sector focal person will be designated along with the secretariat and the Energy Sector Consultative Council, as provided for by the Provincial Energy Code. This will ensure inclusive participation of industry stakeholders in matt
ers concerning energy.

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, attended the morning session. In their covenant, the signatories committed to a unified vision of a sustainable and energy-secure future for the province, pledging to promote renewable energy, support energy sector transformation, adopt energy efficiency and conservation measures, and champion environmental stewardship.

In the afternoon, a forum led by Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella addressed vital energy development concerns with local governments. Discussions focused on the Energy Virtual One-Stop-Shop Act, the Local Energy Code, the Government Energy Management Program, an overview of renewable energy potentials in Negros, and the roles of local government units in the downstream oil industry.