DOE brings energy plan to the grassroots

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 30 (PIA6) – Issues and concerns of the energy stakeholders in Western Visayas were given focus by the Department of Energy during its recent advocacy campaign in Capiz.

Officials of the DOE, led by Energy Policy and Planning Bureau Assistant Director Carmencita Bariso, were here, November 27, for the last leg of the information, education and communication campaign in the country.

“Essential issues that affect the economy such as scarcity of energy, rising cost of electricity and fuel, electrification in the countryside, need for policy reforms and additional energy infrastructures, and the adverse impact of energy development in the environment, among others will be given attention through the advocacy,” Bariso said.

She explained that the 2012-2030 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) which will be launched in December this year, is a plan of every stakeholder coming the different regions in the Philippines.

Bariso pointed out that the Energy Plan highlights the policy vision of an economy which will largely decarbonize with the development and utilization of renewable energy, including the promotion of energy efficiency as a lifestyle and advocating the use of alternative fuels for the transport sector.

In the PEP, DOE targets a 10-percent energy savings across all economic sectors, namely the transport, industry, residential, commercial and agriculture, she said.

“The Plan likewise seeks to scale up energy efficiency investments in both private and public sectors to generate more energy savings and to curb the country’s energy demand, Bariso said, adding that it also envisions to accelerate the development and production of industrial fossil fuels.

In addition, the PEP, she said, aims to climate-proof the energy system to help ensure continuous supply of energy services under all impacts of climate change.

On the other hand, Capiz Governor Victor Tanco said that the coming up of the PEP is a timely move for the government, particularly the DOE as it would complement with the country’s economic growth.

Tanco also congratulates the agency for bringing the information drive at the grassroots and consider their suggestions as inputs to the national level, especially in further enhancing the plan. (PIA/JBGuillermo)