Electric coops group to hold power congress

THE Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives Inc. (Amreco), in partnership with the Mindanao University of Science & Technology (Must) and the Institute of Power Sector Economics (Ipsec), set off its MinCARED 2013 (Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development) congress launching and signing of a memorandum of agreement (Moa) on March 12, 2013, at the Must in Cagayan de Oro.

This is the second time that the groups are organizing MinCARED as an essential event shaping the need of seeking sustainable solutions for the Mindanao power crisis, a statement from Must said. The congress is set May 27 to 28, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro.

Amreco offers a new focus for seeking solutions on the challenges of meeting demands for Mindanao’s Power Future themed “Mainstreaming the Mindanao Power Agenda.”

The panel of speakers includes the Amreco president Sergio C. Dagooc, Must president Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, Amreco executive director Clint Django G. Pacana and Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director of Investment Relations & Public Affairs Romeo Montenegro.

This annual congress of power cooperatives in Mindanao seeks to mainstream challenges and issues of Mindanao’s power future, which focuses on renewable energy, rural electrification and development.

Expected participants include representatives from the local government units (LGUs), Mindanao governors and congressmen, non government organizations (NGOs), academe, civil society organizations, electric cooperative constituencies, media, private sector and other significant stakeholders.

The Congress will provide leading opportunity for the Mindanao Power Advocates to discuss deeper the Mindanao Power Agenda and the ways and means to increase the visibility of the industry in multilateral negotiations.

The gathering of power advocates will be most significant as a venue to present report cards relative to power sector initiatives.

“While Amreco has successfully mounted a force through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), much remains to be desired in defining its role which could be done by consulting the general public through the MinCARED,” the statement said.

“The collective voice of the Mindanaoans power advocates is vital to the success of the congress, for the cause for which it was being organized. The congress will emphasize the need for more integration of programs, methods to generate outcome, data, cost effective delivery and sustainability to achieve what Mindanao urgently needs. (Loui S. Maliza)