DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- Representatives of various sectors here lauded the province of Negros Oriental for enacting its own Renewable Energy (RE) Ordinance which is considered the first in the country.

Top officials in the province led by Gov. Roel Degamo and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Jose Baldado launched Ordinance No. 30 s. 2021 dubbed “Clean and Renewable Energy Code of Negros Oriental” on Jan. 28 at Sidlakan Negros Village where they highlighted its positive impact to the environment and to the people before representatives of community stakeholders.

The Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office (VFO) commended the provincial government for this move. 

“This very important legislation supports the promotion of RE development not just in Negros Oriental but for the whole country. As we all know, Negros Oriental is also the first province in the country to institutionalize its support and commitment to RE,” said DOE-VFO Science Research Specialist Lou Arciaga who attended the launch via Zoom.

“DOE is very thankful to the province. Our policy direction and thrust is already in line especially with the issuance of moratorium for the endorsement of coal-fired power plants. Ever since, the province of Negros Oriental has been a host of several RE projects,” she added.

Also expressing his support is Diocese of San Carlos, Negros Occidental Bishop Gerardo Alminaza who is also the lead convener of REpower Negros, a civic-organization for the advancement of RE energy in Negros Island.

“Beyond serving as proof that Negros has public servants who genuinely care for the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology, this piece of legislation is also a fruit of Negrosanons’ relentless resistance against destructive energy,” Alminaza said in a recorded video message.

“This first of its kind ordinance not only prohibits the construction of all fossil fuel power plants but also commits to phasing-out the use of fossil fuels in a timeline compatible with the 1.5 degree-celsius goal of the Paris Agreement,” the prelate added.

The RE ordinance was approved by Degamo on Jan. 11, 2022.

The said ordinance is expected to provide incentives for incoming investors and also to the host communities of RE projects in the province.

It also cites that the forms or RE which can be developed in the province, aside from geothermal and solar which are already existing, are biomass, hydro-power, and wind energy.

Local businessmen also welcomed the enactment of the said ordinance.

“The passage of this landmark ordinance is very appropriate and timely but we all have to go back to the drawing board and prepare to build a climate smart and climate-resilient Negros Oriental. How do we do this? Let us invite and attract local and foreign investors and invest in the latest state-of-the-art green technologies to fight the worsening climate crisis,” said Ed Du, immediate past Central Visayas Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

Du disclosed that the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry has already initiated talks with some RE firms to invest in the province.

One of them is Almana Power Corporation who already expressed interest in establishing a 5.3 MW hydro-power plant in Canlaon City.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC), which is also operating a geothermal plant facility in Valencia town, also congratulated the provincial government for their move to protect the environment.

EDC President Richard Tantoco said the ordinance is a reflection of Negros Oriental's commitment to become a green province. 

“We are one with you in our commitment to preserve a green province,” Tantoco said.

Other stakeholders who extended their messages of support include Silliman University Vice President for Development Prof. Jane Anette Belarmino and Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative General Manager Jose Juvileo Acabal. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)