Lanao del Sur delegation benchmarks Iloilo renewable energy program

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Members of the Lanao del Sur Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Energy visited Iloilo province on Feb. 9 to study the province’s renewable energy and energy-efficiency initiatives.

The delegation was welcomed at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who received the group on behalf of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., who was on official travel in Manila.

Also present were Board Member Rolando Distura, chair of the Committee on Energy of the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and officials from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, led by Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Desk focal person Rey Victor Garin.

The Lanao del Sur officials were accompanied by representatives of the United Nations Development Programme, which is implementing the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Access to Climate Security and Health Services project, also known as RE3ACHS, in the province.

During the visit, Iloilo officials presented the province’s policy and program approach to renewable energy, which they said has helped position Iloilo as a leader in implementing the Government Energy Management Program, a national initiative that directs government agencies to reduce energy and fuel consumption.

Among the initiatives highlighted was the Iloilo Provincial Ordinance for Renewable Energy, or I-PORE, authored by Distura, which mandates allocating 0.5% of the provincial government’s annual budget for renewable energy projects.

The delegation was also briefed on Iloilo’s use of green energy in public health facilities, including the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in district hospitals in Dumangas, Lambunao, Balasan and Alimodian.

Iloilo officials said all 43 local government units in the province have completed their Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans, enabling them to access and mobilize local funds for energy-efficiency and conservation initiatives.

Officials from Lanao del Sur said they are considering adopting Iloilo’s policy frameworks, including the I-PORE budget-allocation model, as they work to strengthen renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs in their province.