By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 23 (PNA) — Top officials of the Regional Development Council-3 (RDC-3) have called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to advise their contractors and stakeholders to first coordinate and consult provincial and local government executives before constructing projects in their areas.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., chairman of the RDC-3’s Sectoral Committee on Infrastructure Development, made the call upon learning from DOE-Region 3 Director Efren Balaoing said that projects are underway to level-up power sources in the region, including use of solar cells.
Ebdane said he is supporting a resolution encouraging the DOE to observe protocol by consulting local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of projects in the provinces.
“Most of the time, the DOE came in to the province and constructed projects without informing the governors. They should inform us first because some LGUs have development projects that might be aligned with their projects,” he said.
RDC-III chairman Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado agreed with Ebdane, saying that under the Local Government Code no national projects may push through without proper coordination with local and provincial executives.
He said many national projects should be compatible with the programs of LGUs.
Meanwhile, the RDC-III has approved a resolution regarding policy alternatives and advocacy options to stabilize supply and reduce the cost of electricity in Central Luzon.
The RDC-III Sectoral Committee on Economic Development (SCED) has endorsed the resolution and was unanimously approved.
He said the resolution aims to hasten the establishment of an integrated power transmission system (Pan Philippine Grid) to interconnect the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Grids for supply optimization and complementation.
Alvarado said the resolution endorsed by the SCED also aims to facilitate the construction of photovoltaic plants (solar cells) in Central Luzon with a total installed capacity of 3,600 mega watts to meet the projected additional load by 2020, and to promote other renewable energy sources such as wind and biomass.
The SCED resolution also suggested to promote rooftops photovoltaic solar cell utilization at government offices and local communities to address power load peaks in summer time when electricity tariff is at highest because hydro electric power plants operate below capacity due to water supply restrictions, Alvarado added.
It also aims to promote the privatization of electric cooperatives in clustered franchise areas to achieve economies of scale.
“The SCED resolution also endorses that the provinces and LGUs to come up with their renewable-friendly investment codes to attract more investors on energy power systems. All of this are in line with President Benigno S. Aquino III goal in upgrading the engines of growth in the region,”the RDC-III chairman said. (PNA)