TAGUIG CITY- The Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the 11 partner organizations of the Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) project on 15 June 2022 at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City.
Signed during the partnership event, "Working for an EmpoweRED Pilipinas: a BiGSHOW on Renewable Energy Development", the MOU is part of the Department's efforts to accelerate renewable energy (RE) development and encourage more investments in local RE projects.
It is also an integral component of the DREAMS Project through its Support Facility for Renewable Energy (SF4RE). The SF4RE is a USD one million DREAMS facility that assists local partners in implementing RE endeavors in the Philippines.
SF4RE is designed to encourage local RE investments by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy systems and enhancing local capabilities to innovate, create, operate, and maintain these systems. It supports RE projects that expand electrification in off-grid sites and activities that install RE systems for agriculture, health, and livelihood.
DOE Senior Undersecretary and DREAMS Project Supervisory Committee Chairperson Felix William B. Fuentebella, in his opening address, stated that the gathering provides an avenue to share strategies and experiences on how local government units, electric cooperatives, civil society organizations, and members of the academe may each produce energy and implement RE projects in their own communities.
“This is a very diverse group. Hopefully this diversity can provide new ways of solving common problems—common problems to address climate change and at the same time be able to produce for our families, community, and country. Despite this diversity, we all have the same responsibility to make decisions for the betterment of our community,” Undersecretary Fuentebella emphasized.
DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau and DREAMS National Project Director Mylene Capongcol expressed the DOE’s commitment to continue supporting local efforts in developing and implementing local RE projects.
“We are happy that we have strengthened our commitment in pursuing RE development in our country, especially in areas that need sustainable, reliable, and adequate supply of electricity with the use of RE,” she said.
The Director also gave a presentation on the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020-2040, focusing on the critical role of partners in attaining the NREP target of at least 35% RE share in the power generation mix by 2030 and greater than 50% by 2040.
Ms. Floradema Eleazar, the Team Leader of the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Climate Action Programme, also gave a Statement of Commitment on behalf of the UNDP.
“The DREAMS SF4RE has been instrumental in providing access to RE sources to more than 20,000 households. The UNDP will continue to offer its assistance to DOE in the area of RE development. The work in clean energy does not end with the completion of the DREAMS Project. Expect the UNDP to pursue further engagements with you to find ways to support the government’s clean energy policy for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Ms. Eleazar stated.
“The various Memoranda of Undertaking were crafted in a way that takes to heart the principles of transparency, accountability and participatory decision-making,” added Atty. Fielmor Amor from the DOE-Renewable Energy Legal Services.
The event also featured learning sessions. The DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau presented an audio-visual presentation on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Act (RA 11285), highlighting the roles of local government units to ensure the success of the policy.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lisa Go, Chief of the DOE-Investments Promotions Office, presented the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act and the Joint Memorandum Circular between the DOE and Department of Interior and Local Government or the Local Government Unit (LGU) Energy Code. The Energy Code aims to ensure the integration of RE and EE&C local policies and projects in the development agenda of LGUs.
Present at the event were signatories Hon. Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong, Lanao del Sur Vice Governor; Hon. Margarito C. Mission Jr., San Remigio Mayor; Hon. Bryan Dale G. Chan, Aparri Mayor; Hon. Roberto O. Palomar, Tapaz Mayor; Hon. Sergio S. Tapalla, Cagayancillo Mayor; Hon. Marcel Pan, Goa Mayor; Mr. Benito Lugayan, KIFA President; Mr. Junnie Vee D. Hongco, Provincial Legal Officer of PLGU Antique; Atty. Jose Michael Edwin S. Amancio, General Manager of ESAMELCO; Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, MMSU President; Mr. Jeffrey Y. Tan-Endriga, PALECO Board President; and Ms. Solene Gondrexon, Energy Program Manager of Entrepreneur Du Monde. The event was also attended by the DREAMS Project Steering Committee namely, the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), Provincial Government of Palawan and the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).
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