Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi answers questions during a Reuters interview at the DOE headquarters in Taguig city, Metro Manila, Philippines February 27, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco As part of the Duterte administration’s policy of arms open equally to investments in the energy sector, the Department of Energy (DoE) unveiled investment opportunities in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region II) during the Luzon-leg of the Energy Investment Briefing at the Wendall Hall in Oryza Hotel.

“Energy security is a major driver of our economy. We need everyone to be on board for our energy security,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said as he encouraged investments in the region’s energy segment. About 80 participants from various local government units, local distribution utilities/electric cooperatives and the private sector attended the briefing.

Cusi shared with the participants about the current energy activities and projects in the region; the benefits for communities hosting energy projects from the electricity sales of generation plants; as well as the regulatory requirements and registration processes of energy projects.

Adhering to the principles of the DoE’s E-Power Mo movement, the Department’s Investment Promotion Office, organized the event to emphasize the significance of energy investments in making the Philippines globally competitive.

“All of our regions should be updated with the latest energy developments for them to actively take part in the planning and implementation of our programs and projects,” Cusi said.

The government is launching a multi-faceted and open arms energy investment initiative to provide more sources of electricity for the country’s growing energy requirement.

Among the projects being considered by Cusi is the revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, a deal with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. to study a 100-megawatt nuclear power plant in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp. about a possible deployment of nuclear power barge.

The energy chief also plans to transform the country into the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub with the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas reserve by 2024.

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