Negros Oriental will observe Renewable Energy Day on March 5, the first province in the Philippines to institutionalize unequivocal support and commitment to renewable-energy sources through an annual commemorative local government event.
Gov. Roel Ragay Degamo recently signed Executive Order 22-18 declaring Renewable Energy Day in Negros Oriental every 5th of March. This followed a similarly groundbreaking executive order signed in March 2018, declaring Negros Oriental as an environment-friendly and clean-energy province.
The province is host to several renewable-energy power plants that generate clean, reliable power through geothermal, solar, hydro and wind sources, contributing substantially to the electricity needs of the Visayas region.
“Consistent with these directives and ideals, the province of Negros Oriental shall prioritize the utilization of clean, renewable energy, which is abundant in the province; to continuously protect and develop such renewable-energy sources and, at the same time, shun operations and activities, including sourcing and use of energy sources that are destructive to the environment and harmful to its citizens’ health and livelihood,” the declaration stated.
“Such detrimental operations and activities are primarily caused by the operation of power plants run by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal,” it cited.
The observance of the first Renewable Energy Day in 2019 is seen as a culmination of a weeklong celebration in the province that is focused on increasing awareness and information about renewable-energy sources, engaging the public, especially the youth, in pro-environment initiatives and causes, and showcasing the positive effects and benefits of “greener” and reliable energy.
“Making my province, Negros Oriental, as an environment-friendly said and clean-energy province is one of the toughest decisions I have made as governor,” Degamo said in his message in the 2018 State of Nature Assessment organized by environmental group Green Convergence with the Forest Foundation of the Philippines and Energy Development Corp. held in Baguio City.
“I want to share our experience so that it can serve not just as an example, but an inspiration, on how we can achieve a cleaner energy future not just for individual communities but for the entire country,” he added.