(Pasay City) The Department of Energy (DOE), in cooperation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), conducted a National Government – Local Government Energy Forum on 06 September 2013 at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City.

In the forum, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla stressed that the DOE continuously crafts and implements programs to address the energy needs and requirements of the country. He also highlighted the different committed and indicative power projects that would respond to the growing energy demand in the Philippines.

As host communities to energy projects, the Secretary emphasized that the Local Government Units (LGU) have an overriding role in approving the construction of power plants and energy facilities.

In the same way, Secretary Petilla informed everyone that the DOE would explore and offer options through energy policies to help the LGUs. Moreover, he encouraged the LGUs to extend their utmost cooperation as it is vital to the realization of the energy plan for the country.

Other officials from the DOE also discussed several initiatives, statutes and laws relative to the energy sector such as the ER1-94 otherwise known as the Benefits for Host Communities, and several components of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and Oil Deregulation Law of 1998 concerning the LGUs.

Also present in the forum were local government officials across the country, representatives from DILG, and industry leaders.