PARTNERS FOR AN ENERGY SECURE PHILIPPINES: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (third on third row from the top of the grid) led the energy family in earlier's virtual Energy Secure Philippines Activity Workshop hosted by the United States Agency for International Development.

TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) today led the opening of the three-day virtual Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Activity Co-Design Workshop hosted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  The ESP seeks to spur inclusive economic growth and resilient development by increasing private investments to promote advance technology deployment and boost the resilience of the energy sector against sectoral shocks and stresses. 

“The US remains a solid ally and one of the country’s major trading partners. We are hopeful that our collaboration to promote energy security and development will be sustained and even enhanced. This activity comes at an opportune time for the energy sector, as it plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable economic development, specially now that the country is gearing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi stated. 

The virtual workshop was organized to communicate and clarify the objectives, targets and strategies of the ESP relative to Philippine energy sector priorities; validate and/or update the tasks and interventions relevant to the Philippine government; gain support for ESP and identify potential partnerships; and elicit recommendations to improve the ESP’s implementation. 

The Energy chief further said that the DOE expects the country to benefit from the ESP’s mobilization of private sector investments to encourage more engagement and collaboration with non-governmental entities to implement complementary interventions. 

“We anticipate that the project will contribute to our shared goals with the US government’s Asia-Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy or Asia-EDGE Initiative to help combat poverty and foster economic progress,” Secretary Cusi added. 

Among the workshop’s participants were representatives from the National Transmission Corporation, National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Climate Change Commission, Mindanao Development Authority, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and the Philippine Competition Commission. 

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