TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar may become the first province in the country to transition fully to renewable energy following the crafting of a renewable energy roadmap through a multistakeholder consultation.

The roadmap was developed with the participation of civil society organizations, electric cooperatives, national government agencies, private sector groups, and community representatives. The consultation followed an initial workshop in April, during which the provincial government identified renewable energy (RE) development opportunities in the province.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Jay Keenson Acebuche said the initial workshop highlighted Northern Samar’s abundant renewable energy resources, declining solar technology costs, strong government and private sector partnerships, active investor interest, and the availability of local technical expertise and human capital.

Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) Director for Community Resilience Arturo Tahup said the consultation was anchored on the belief that energy concerns are too important to be left solely to the government.

“The people and communities should have both a stake and a voice — and should be front and center — in crafting the Northern Samar RE Roadmap. The decisions we make today will shape the future of our energy systems, our communities, and our resilience,” Tahup said.

Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing that the roadmap would benefit communities throughout the province.

He said the crafting of the renewable energy roadmap reflects the realities and priorities of local communities.

“The question before us is no longer whether Northern Samar has renewable energy potential; we already know that it does. The question now is how we can work together to transform that potential into real opportunities and lasting benefits for every Nortehanon,” Ongchuan said.

A key highlight of the consultation was the presentation of the proposed Provincial Energy Sector Committee (PESC) and Energy Development Ordinance, which seeks to institutionalize energy planning and strengthen coordination among stakeholders across the province.

The proposed PESC and Energy Development Ordinance complement the Renewable Energy Roadmap by providing an institutional mechanism to support long-term energy planning, implementation, and coordination across sectors.

“This is the direction that we want for Northern Samar — a province that can plan, coordinate properly, and prepare for the future. The PESC Ordinance is not just another committee; it is about creating a better-organized system — one that is data-driven and aligned with the development priorities of our beloved province. It is a system where hospitals, schools, evacuation centers, island communities, and public facilities are considered in our energy decisions,” Board Member Emil Ongchuan said as he presented the provincial government’s proposed ordinance.

Led by the ICSC and supported by the Tara Climate Foundation, the initiative is being implemented in partnership with AktivAsia Pilipinas and the Provincial Government of Northern Samar.

It is also part of the CASE (Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia) project, led by GIZ Philippines and the Pacific Island Countries and implemented on behalf of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).