Energy department, PEZA sign deal to make power cheaper for locators

Posted on February 20, 2017
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=energy-department-peza-sign-deal-to-make-power-cheaper-for-locators&id=140901

THE Department of Energy (DoE) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have agreed to hasten the development of regional economic zones by coming up with measures that will ease doing business in the country, including cheaper power rates.

In a statement over the weekend, DoE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the two government agencies that gives assurance to ecozones of “a reliable and reasonably-priced supply of electricity.”

“Energy policies will be developed to facilitate the reduction of the cost of doing business in the country, including the ecozones,” he said.

Mr. Cusi said the memorandum is an “initiative consistent with the long-term economic vision of President Rodrigo Duterte known as ‘Ambisyon 2040’ and complements his 10-point socioeconomic agenda.”

“Ambisyon 2040” is the government’s 25-year vision for the Philippines as embodied in an executive order signed by the President in October last year.

“Energy efficiency programs, like the adoption of the Energy Management Systems (ISO 50001), will be given importance to help the locator companies to be more efficient in their use of energy resources. This will result in lower power costs to sustain the companies’ competitiveness, while also encouraging the establishment of more energy-efficient ecozones in the country,” Mr. Cusi said.

He said government policies should streamline the permitting processes for energy projects, “to ensure stable and reliable supply of energy to drive the economic activities in the ecozones.”

He said with the MoU in place, “the country can expect the flow of critical investment which in the long-run creates more job opportunities and spur rural development.”

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Energy Undersecretary Benito L. Ranque representing Mr. Cusi and PEZA Director-General Charito B. Plaza on Feb. 2, 2017 in Davao City. -- Victor V. Saulon