Public, private sectors urged to take part in achieving energy resiliency

Both the public and private sectors have important roles to play in achieving energy resiliency, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in his message at the 6th E-Power Mo Conference held on Wednesday.

The conference, held this time at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, focused on employing specific strategies and informing the public not only on the proper use of energy but also in helping the country become self-sufficient.

Another central point of talks was the preparedness of the energy sector in times of emergency, considering that the Philippines is constantly beleaguered by natural calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, and heat waves.

“We all know that the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters,” Cusi said, noting that the country ranks third in the World Risk Index.

To address this, Department of Energy (DOE) emphasized the creation an Energy Resiliency Policy, aimed at strengthening existing energy systems, quickly restoring old projects, and providing alternative energy sources.

According to DOE, the possible effects of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on energy systems, the Philippine’s disaster risk management system, and disaster risk financing and insurance strategies were discussed in the plenary session.

Aside from all of these, there were also six other sessions that covered topics on downstream oil and natural gas, upstream coal, oil and gas, renewable energy, power industry, alternative fuels and energy efficiency, and the welfare of the consumers.

The DOE aims to spread the message of the E-Power Mo conferences to various areas through the government’s communication systems.

The DOE has reached out to several provinces, holding previous conferences in Baguio last April and in Cebu City, Davao City, and Clark in Angeles City last year. /atm