E-Power Mo for Sustainability - Participants in the 3-day Joint Planning Workshop of the Department of Energy and the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme in a group pictorial at Camp Punta Fuego, Batangas.

The Philippine government is pursuing its thrust to promote energy efficiency, sustainability and total electrification.

This was the message conveyed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to the European Union (EU) and World Bank (WB) as they conducted a joint planning workshop for the Supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) from August 30 to September 1, 2017 at Camp Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“The DOE is prioritizing the delivery of quality energy service to our people, not only in the business districts but also in the rural areas”, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi explained.

The objective of the ASEP is to assist the Philippines in expanding sustainable energy generation to meet growing economic needs and provide energy access to the poor and marginalized sector in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan.

The objective was also emphasized during the Philippine-EU ASEP conference held last March 9, 2017, signaling the start of the joint undertaking between the DOE, EU and WB.

The workshop aims to reacquaint the participants with the organizational structure and implementation mechanism of ASEP and its components to improve inter-agency coordination and streamlining of the overall implementation process.

ASEP will be implemented through three components: Component 1, the “Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Pillar (ASEP-TA)”, Component 2, the “Investment Support” managed by the World Bank, and Component 3, the “Call for Proposals for Pro-Poor and Climate Resilient Innovative Energy Solutions” directly managed by the EU Delegation.

“With all the program's key players gathered in one venue, we aim to seek each other's concerns, insights and suggestions to be more synergized in our approach towards carrying out the ASEP”, Cusi said.

The DOE expects the participants to be more updated on the different implementation mechanisms and roles of ASEP players after the joint planning workshop with hopes that this will further strengthen the agency’s E-Power Mo Campaign, designed to empower consumers by providing them information and options on the intelligent utilization of energy resources.

Participants in the event included representatives from the ASEP-Technical Assistance Team, European Union Delegation to the Philippines, World Bank and DOE’s partner government agencies: National Electrification Agency (NEA), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).