DOE conducts consultations on Philippine Energy Plan in Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 2, 2012

PALO, Leyte  –  The Department of Energy is set to conduct at the Leyte Oriental Hotel on November 7, a consultation on the 2013-2030 Philippine Energy Plan.

DOE Visayas Regional Director Antonio Labios through Ms. Lourdes Arciaga, the corporate information officer said that the DOE has formulated the 2012-2030 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) to be launched in December 2012, in time for the annual celebration of the National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM).

The Plan was formulated as the agency recognized that the long gestation periods of energy projects and investments, and that energy, as a valuable commodity, has a direct impact on the country’s economic growth.

The PEP, by developing and utilizing renewable energy like hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, biomass and ocean energy, will highlight the policy vision of an economy which will become largely decarbonized.

This, with the DOE taking the lead in promoting energy efficiency as a lifestyle, and advocating the use of alternative fuels for the transport sector.

The plan also aims to scale-up energy efficiency investments in both private and public sectors to generate more energy savings as well as envisioning to accelerate the development and production of indigenous fossil fuels to further curb the country's energy demand. It also aims to climate-proof the energy system to help ensure they continue to provide energy services under all impacts of climate change.

Considering factors such as a 10.0 percent target energy savings across all economic sectors – transport, industry, residential, commercial and agriculture; an increase in the number of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-fed buses and possible introduction of CNG taxis, electric vehicles; and higher application of biofuel blends (biodiesel and bioethanol), the Energy Department has also simulated the energy needs of the country over the next 20 years.

Prior to the publication of the PEP, the Energy Department is set to conduct a nationwide consultations and Information, Education and Communication activities to inform the energy stakeholders.

The first consultation for the Visayas will be held in Tacloban City for Region 8 on November 7, Director Labios informed. For Region 7, the consultations will be held in Tagbilaran on November 15, while for Region 6, it will be held in Roxas City on November 22.