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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Monday, September 1, 2014

Business Week showcases Renewable Energy Forum in Naga City

BY: ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY

NAGA CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) --- Business and other private sector stakeholders here are now coming up with tangible plans to help combat the adverse implications for industries and other business ventures that may be directly affected by the looming power shortage come 2015.

Organizers of the Bicol Business Week (BBW), together with the Department of Energy (DOE) and GNN TV 48, sponsored a Renewable Energy Forum at Villa Caceres Hotel here over the weekend to heighten the awareness of the community regarding other possible alternate energy sources.

Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Energy Management Division - Renewable Energy Management Bureau chief Ruby De Guzman in her presentation stated that the government already started measures to look for alternative sources of energy since 1900’s when it developed hydropower to push electricity generation and non-power applications in rural communities.

“The government initiated commercial development of hydropower resources thru the National Power Corporation and the National Electrification Administration. We have the Republic Act No. 7156 which provides for full private sector development of mini-hydropower resources (up to 10 MW) in 1991 and the private sector’s participation thru Build-Operate-Transfer Scheme of large hydropower projects in mid 1990’s,” De Guzman added.

De Guzman said that the government has also laid the foundation for commercial utilization of geothermal energy between 1952 to late 1960’s thru studies and inventories of geothermal activities as part of its effort to look for alternative sources of energy.

Global News Network (GNN) TV 48 chief executive officer and station manager Fred Perdon in this city said that the forum intends to create awareness among the stakeholders and even members of the community the value of renewable energy and the many sources of it just waiting to be tapped and utilized.

“We want to let the people know that we have a lot of sources of renewable energy. We have the Biomass or biofuels, geothermal, solar power, hydropower, the ocean and even the power from the wind. These are just waiting to be tapped for our use,” Perdon said .

Philip J. Chien, chair of the Foreign Chamber Council of the Philippines and owner of GNN, also shared his thoughts on how to attract investment in the midst of the impending power crisis.

Chien has a long line of expertise and business involvements since the 1970’s after he joined an American company involved in the manufacturing of high quality apparels for export to USA and Europe and became one of the biggest garment manufacturer and exporter in the Philippines.

He is also the founding chair of Taiwan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and currently its Chairmen Emeritus.

Rep. Leni Gerona-Robredo of Camarines Sur third congressional district also graced the forum.  (MAL/LSM-PIA5/CamSur))
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=861409544819#sthash.9zmc2K1G.dpuf

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