TAGUIG CITY -- As part of sustained efforts to boost the entry of new energy investments into the country, the Department of Energy (DOE) today hosted the 2021 Luzon Virtual Energy Investment Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) forum, where it continued to underscore the importance of public-private synergies in helping the Philippines attain its energy goals and in effectively addressing sectoral issues. 

“The Department of Energy came out with very important policies and programs to provide greater access to energy services, lessen the costs, and provide more options for our consumers,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi stated in his keynote message.

The Energy chief also emphasized that “teamwork remains to be a crucial component in finding the appropriate solutions to our energy issues” and encouraged participants to “keep an open mind and carefully listen to one another” during the various breakout sessions designed to facilitate discussions on how the Philippine energy sector could become globally competitive in the New Normal. 

With the theme, “Diskarteng Enerhiya: Mura Na, Malinis Pa”, the Virtual IEC is part of the DOE-Investment Promotion Office’s (IPO) energy investment campaign which apprises energy stakeholders with the latest energy policy and program developments. The 2021 Energy Investment IECs seek to highlight the urgency of securing energy access and equity in a sustainable manner.  

To give potential investors a better picture of the country’s current energy landscape, the virtual IEC’s morning plenary program featured presentations on the following: (1) Updates on the Energy Sector from DOE-Energy Policy Planning Bureau Director Jesus T. Tamang; (2) An Overview of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) from Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola; (3) Implementation Updates on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act from DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino; and (4) LGU Energy Code from DOE Spokesperson Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella. 

This was followed by four breakout sessions (RCOA, Green Energy Option Program and Net Metering, Application of Renewable Energy Systems in Remote Areas, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation), which facilitated more in-depth discussions on the DOE’s path towards energy sustainability, as well as an open forum. 

Undersecretary Fuentebella, in his closing remarks, thanked all the participants for supporting the virtual IEC despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reiterated that the key to achieve the green energy scenario is by encouraging everyone to practice existing campaigns towards clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.  

The conduct of the 2021 Energy Investment IECs is made possible with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Energy Secure Philippines Project. The Visayas-leg of the virtual IEC is slated to take place in September, while the one for Mindanao will be held in November this year.  (DOE)