LAOAG CITY, April 1 (PNA) — Local stakeholders in Ilocos Norte are set to join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) workshop on the third day of the meeting slated on April 13-16 in Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Jhun Escobar of the Department of Energy (DOE), during the recent coordination meeting for APEC said that at least 15-20 Ilocanos from the local government and various academes in the province can join the workshops.
Pacifico “Nonong” Marcos who represented the provincial government of Ilocos Norte during the meeting said local stakeholders from the academe, environment sector and non-government organization are interested to join and learn things about renewable energy noting that the province is an emerging energy capital in the country.
Escobar has confirmed about 40 foreign delegates from the 23 APEC member economies to attend the meeting. Other delegates from 17 economies are expected to arrive in the province as they will lead the workshops on renewable energy (RE).
The delegates are from the Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy Technologies (EGNRET), a subcommittee of the APEC.
“Technical experts or division chiefs of the BIG SHOW (Bio mass, Bio fuel, Geothermal, Solar, Hydro, Ocean, and Wind) sectors or Renewable Energy (RE) technologies will head the delegates,” Escobar said.
“The chairman of EGNRET will present the results of this meeting to the senior officials of energy [of APEC] on October during the APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting which will be held in Cebu,” he added.
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte will be hosting a welcome dinner for the delegates on the night of April 13 at the world-renowned Paoay Church.
“They will also witness a cultural presentation featuring the internationally-acclaimed Samiweng Singers and a Mini Tan-Ok ni Ilocano dance performance during the dinner,” Ianree Raquel, Provincial Tourism Officer said.
A night tour will also be offered to the delegates who would want to explore the Ilocos Norte’s capital and other neighboring municipalities.
Governor Imee Marcos hopes that by hosting this meeting, Ilocos Norte will be included in the APEC map, making the province a top venue for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions).
“As an emerging renewable energy capital in the country, we are proud that the province was chosen to host the meeting to be attended by experts, engineers, scientists from all over the world as well as local Filipino scientists who wish to see the operations of our windmills, the new solar plant and the rehabilitated hydro-plant here in Ilocos Norte,” Marcos said. (PNA)