Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro is set to convene power-sector officials and other key stakeholders as the province continues to face power supply problems that could affect households, businesses and future investments.
Baricuatro said she has called a meeting with the Department of Energy (DOE), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Visayan Electric, CEBECO and other energy stakeholders to assess Cebu’s power situation and identify both immediate and long-term solutions.
The governor said reliable electricity is critical to Cebu’s plans to attract investments, expand industries and create jobs.
“We want more investments. We want industries to expand. We want more businesses and more jobs for Cebuanos. But none of these can happen sustainably if our energy supply cannot keep pace with our growth,” Baricuatro said.
The Provincial Government has also been facilitating proposed energy projects, particularly renewable energy developments that could add to Cebu’s future power supply.
These include the ACCIONA solar farm project in Daanbantayan and Alternergy’s wind-energy project. Baricuatro also cited oil and gas exploration in Alegria as a potential source of future energy supply.
While power generation, transmission and distribution are not directly under the provincial government’s jurisdiction, Baricuatro said the Capitol still has a role in bringing investors, regulators, utilities and other stakeholders together.
“I believe this is something that should have been addressed a long time ago. But we cannot keep looking back, and we certainly cannot allow the problem to continue,” she said.
“We have to deal with what is in front of us and make sure Cebu is better prepared moving forward.”
The province will also hold a Cebu Energy Summit on Oct. 7, bringing together representatives from government, the energy sector, business groups, investors and other stakeholders.
The summit will focus on Cebu’s long-term energy requirements and the infrastructure and investments needed to support the province’s continued economic expansion.
Baricuatro said the province needs to look beyond short-term responses to the current supply problems.
“We need a real conversation about Cebu’s energy future,” she said.
The Provincial Government operates one power plant in Malapascua, but its direct role in power generation remains limited.
Still, Baricuatro said the Capitol can help facilitate investments and coordinate with agencies and private-sector players to address the province’s energy requirements.
The governor said the Capitol has begun bringing stakeholders together as it works on measures intended to improve Cebu’s power reliability and prepare for rising demand.
“We assure the Cebuano people that we will continue to push for a more reliable, sufficient, and sustainable energy supply for Cebu,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Pam Baricuatro - The People’s Governor / FB Page
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