Visayas stakeholders’ inputs key to energy resiliency policy: DOE

FILE: Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (Photo by Department of Energy)

MANILA — The recently concluded second leg of public consultations in Leyte province resulted to valuable inputs from the Visayan regions which will help improve the energy resiliency policy, according to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

“Engaging our stakeholders in policy formulation supports our thrust for a comprehensive energy resiliency framework. The insights of our kababayan (countrymen) in the Visayas who experienced the adverse effects of Yolanda — one of the strongest typhoon ever recorded — allowed us to give more depth in strengthening disaster prevention and management in the energy sector,” Cusi pointed out.

The proposed policy is anchored on President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to heighten disaster resilience. It revolves around four principles: to strengthen the existing energy infrastructures and systems; to institute the build back better principle; to improve existing disaster resilience operations; and to develop resiliency practices, systems, and standards.

“All these are geared towards mainstreaming disaster risk reduction to ensure the reliability of our energy systems in times of disasters,” Cusi said.

Aside from typhoons, provinces in the Visayas also experienced disruptive earthquakes affecting energy services in the region in recent months.

The third leg of the consultations will be conducted on October 17 in Cagayan de Oro, which experienced devastation from Typhoon Sendong and is now reeling from armed conflict in nearby provinces.

Those interested in voicing out their inputs may download a copy of the draft resiliency policy from www.doe.gov.ph and email their recommendations to doe.eppb@doe.gov.ph.