Negros Occidental to Launch Energy Roadmap

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will unveil its Energy Development Roadmap during a forum on November 21, 2024.

Former governor Rafael Coscolluela, provincial consultant for energy and environmental concerns, announced the roadmap’s launch in a press statement on Tuesday.

The province will host a full-day Provincial Energy Summit and Local Government Unit (LGU) Forum in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod.

The events will take place at Nature’s Village Resort and Hotel in Bacolod City.

Coscolluela said the launch of the SecuRE Negros Roadmap (Energy Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan) is a significant milestone for the province.

The roadmap outlines a comprehensive program aimed at securing Reliable, Renewable, Accessible, Affordable, Available, and Sustainable Energy in Occidental Negros by 2030 (RRAAASE-ON 2030).

The morning session will gather stakeholders from various sectors, including power generation companies, distribution utilities, business leaders, civil society groups, academic institutions, financing institutions, and local government units.

In the afternoon, the LGU Forum will focus on key energy concerns and include officials from the DOE, led by Undersecretary F.W. “Wimpy” Fuentebella.

The forum will cover topics such as the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act, the Local Energy Code, the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), renewable energy potentials in Negros, and the role of LGUs in the downstream oil industry.

Coscolluela noted that the Energy Development Roadmap was co-created through extensive consultations with stakeholders over several months.

The roadmap aims to make Negros Occidental energy-secure by emphasizing a transition to locally generated renewable energy.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his enthusiasm for the roadmap’s launch, calling it a testament to the province’s commitment to power security and renewable energy leadership.

“This 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.

He added that the afternoon forum will provide a platform for DOE collaboration with local governments on critical energy issues.