Cebu City in DOE’s Energy Plan 2016-2030

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Energy-Energy Policy and Planning Bureau is finalizing the Philippine Energy Plan or PEP 2016 to 2030, after conducting a series of sectoral campaigns, including in Cebu City, in line with the agency's mandate to formulate a comprehensive energy plan.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in a statement said that the agency is currently formulating a 15-year energy plan and even a plan until 2040 that entails a series of studies factoring in gross domestic product and population growth, among others.

DOE's energy plan is their contribution to the Ambisyon Natin 2040 (Executive Order 5), which lays down the foundation for inclusive growth and a high-trust society.

Aside from Cebu City, DOE brought the PEP to the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Legaspi, Iloilo, Davao, and Bonifacio Global.

DOE-EPPB in the same statement said that these sectoral roadmaps are a result of the review exercises done by the Department on the effectiveness of the current agenda and the identification of implementation gaps in the program.

Each of the roadmaps is complemented by programs of action which are broken down into short, medium, and long-term targets guided by its overall objectives by 2030.

Cusi said that the PEP formulation paved the way for the development of sectoral energy roadmaps that are critical to ensure energy security and increased energy access.

Cusi added that they have conducted a series of consultations with various stakeholders namely, local government units, electric cooperatives, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, academe, renewable energy developers, oil industry players, generation companies, chamber of commerce and industries, financial institutions and development partners, to present the Plan and generate inputs for its enhancement.

"Planning our country's energy roadmap safeguards our Filipino consumers and our industry participants from any undesirable energy scenarios in the future. It is our job to protect them," Cusi said.

Cusi further said that once the energy plan is finished, it will greatly contribute to the expansion of the country's economic prospects through the provision of employment opportunities and generation of investments that will subsequently provide all Filipinos a life envisioned to be 'Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag'.  —  /JBB (FREEMAN)