Negros Biz Leader Pushes On-Island Power Plant

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Frank Carbon, executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said establishing an on-island power base load plant is the best approach for Negros Island’s energy needs.

Carbon made the statement in light of the recent launch of the SecuRE Energy Roadmap for the province.

He told the Daily Guardian that the energy requirements of the country’s 18 regions are unique and dissimilar.

While the Department of Energy may provide general guidelines, Carbon emphasized that “each region should design their own power development roadmap based on the peculiarities of the region and their needs.”

Carbon noted that the Negros Energy Roadmap is only the second such initiative in the country, following MIMAROPA.

He highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue among stakeholders to reconcile diverse approaches to achieving energy security, affordability, and reliability.

“The national government or DOE cannot provide energy security to all 18 regions,” he said.

He underscored the need for collaboration, saying, “We have to craft and work our own approaches to power security. We must engage with players in the power industry, including power generators, power delivery companies like NGCP and DUs, and the WESM open market operator.”

Negros Occidental recently unveiled the SecuRE Energy Roadmap, an ambitious strategy targeting Reliable, Renewable, Accessible, Affordable, Available, and Sustainable Energy by 2030 (RRAAASE-ON 2030). The initiative has support from the Department of Energy and various stakeholders.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson described the roadmap as the “beginning of a collective journey” toward achieving energy security and sustainability.

“The roadmap is not just a plan; it is a call to action for all Negrenses to unite and build a future where energy is sustainable, reliable, and accessible to all,” Lacson said.

Rafael Coscolluela, provincial consultant on energy and environmental concerns, presented the roadmap during a forum at Nature’s Village in Talisay City.

DOE representatives and stakeholders from the academe, business sector, and non-government organizations attended the event to show their support.

Coscolluela noted that extensive stakeholder consultations shaped the roadmap, which outlines programs and actions to address the province’s energy challenges.

“The SecuRE Negros vision is to make Negros Occidental an energy-secure province,” he said.