PH’s 1st RE Code expects more investors in NegOr

Negros Oriental launches Renewable Energy (RE) Ordinance incentivizing investors on renewable energy projects in Dumaguete City. (PIA Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 2 (PIA) -- The business sector here expects more investors to invest on green technologies in the province with the passage of the Renewable Energy (RE) Code.

Former Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI) Edward Du said adding to the existing geothermal plant in Negros Oriental, some firms signified to put up power plants on biomass, hydro, wind, and solar power plant.

“Businesses can avail of the tax incentives under this RE ordinance,” said Du.

Almana Power Corp. (APC), which has established a 5.3 megawatt mini-hydro power plant in Brgy. Budlasan, Canlaon City, may be the first to apply and avail of the tax incentives under this ordinance, Du said.

Meanwhile, the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. (NOCCI) headed by Francel Martinez has also started discussing with some investors on biomass and wind in Pamplona where the town seems to be the ideal place for wind farm.

The biomass banagrass converted into electricity or charcoal power plant in Amlan town will complete the five renewable sources here from geothermal, solar, hydro, biomass to wind.

“There is no other province in the world that will have the five renewable energy,” cited Du.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan collectively approved and passed the country’s first Renewable Energy Code on Dec. 23, 2021 and signed into law by Gov. Roel Degamo on Jan. 11, 2022.

The ordinance focused on incentivizing new RE investors through carbon credits, as it prioritizes the use of clean sources of power and bans the construction of coal-fired power plants in the province.

For his part, Degamo lauded the strong collaboration among different sectors in coming up with RE ordinance for the protection of the environment as a whole.

“This is one of the many ways to protect and preserve our environment and arrest the impact of climate change,” Degamo said.

However, the governor said through the years his administration is providing the people with clean environment policies, programs and directions, making sure that no one is left behind, and “this ordinance is a landmark piece of local legislation that will surely boost the morale of our environmental warriors,” Degamo said. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)