Tuesday, September 04, 2007 Energy chief to consult power shareholders on dev't plan
ENERGY Secretary Angelo Reyes will meet with stakeholders from the energy sector to discuss a 20-year energy development plan.
Reyes said he was ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to come up with the energy development plan in consultation with other government agencies such as the National Power Corporation (Napocor), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), business and the academe.
"That's a challenge that we at the DOE intend to meet as the country must have sufficient energy now and in the future to sustain our economic growth," said Reyes.
Other agencies involved in the drafting of the energy development plan are the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Reyes recognized the clamor of local and foreign businessmen for the government to step up efforts in generating investments in the power sector to sustain the country's rising gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates.
Reyes said the call made by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is very timely because if the Philippines' economic growth is to continue, the country must have ample power to supply industries.
Citing the President's directive, Reyes said the 20-year energy development plan would also include the reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels, especially imported oil; implementation of the President's State of the Nation Address (Sona) on energy research and development, particularly in conservation and in tapping renewable and alternative forms of energy; recasting transport policies to lessen over time emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants; prioritizing and funding the propagation of small-scale energy technology and projects in rural areas; and inculcating energy conservation in the nation's lifestyle and values. (MSN/Sunnex)
