TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, convened a planning conference with its attached agencies (AAs) on 25-26 March 2021. The conference gathered together the corporate planning managers and other officials from the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and its subsidiaries (PNOC-Exploration Corporation and PNOC-Renewable Corporation), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella described the activity as a “time of reflection, to be better as a team,” and to practice synergy in more ways to achieve the objectives and targets of the PEP.  In his Opening Remarks, Undersecretary Fuentebella noted that the PEP’s business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, combined with initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency, will help the country reach its aspiration of a clean energy future. He also emphasized the importance in energy planning the mapping out of energy flow from primary fuel to end-use of the demand sectors.

The AAs presented their programs and projects that are anchored on the PEP targets, priorities and sectoral roadmaps, including updates on specific projects or initiatives relative thereto, potential gaps or issues in programs and projects’ implementation, and assistance they need from DOE.  

Some of the energy portfolios mentioned by the AAs were: 

▪ Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Fuel Relief Program;

▪ Energy Supply Base Port;

▪ Exploration of oil/gas reserves;

▪ Clean energy projects (renewable and energy efficiency);

▪ Enhanced Missionary Electrification;

▪ 24/7 Operations of NPC-SPUG plants;
▪ Watershed Management;

▪ Interconnection Master Plan of off-grid areas

▪ Rationalization of tariffs/phase-out of Universal Charge-Missionary Electrification Subsidy in Missionary Areas;

▪ Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and Strategized SEP (off-grid);

▪ Strategized Household Electrification Program (off-grid);

▪ Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP);

▪ Quick Respond Fund and the Electric Cooperative Emergency Resiliency Fund; and

▪ Agus-Pulangi Complex Rehabilitation, among others.  

These programs and projects are to be duly approved by the AAs’ respective Boards before the formal submission to the DOE.  Moreover, the Presidents of the AAs were asked to present to Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi the submitted programs and projects in the scheduled high level planning conference.

DOE Undersecretary Alexander S. Lopez likewise advised the AAs to show how their initiatives reinforce and address development plans of the government in identified priority areas. He also mentioned the need to establish a security office that shall focus and help ensure the protection and security of the whole energy value chain from natural and man-made security threats.

As the DOE moves towards the formulation of the PEP 2020-2040, Undersecretary Fuentebella concluded that the updated plan will recognize the climate-land- energy-water nexus alongside the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan will aggregate the contributions of all the AAs to strengthen the country’s position in the use of clean, affordable, and sustainable energy for the years to come.

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