Bohol, the first and only UNESCO Global Geopark in the country, intensified its drive toward energy security and sustainable development in a recent leaders’ forum.
This was after government leaders, municipal mayors, municipal planning and development officers, energy experts, and other stakeholders gathered for the Bohol Leaders Forum on Renewable Energy on June 3 at Bohol Tropics Resort.
The activity was organized by the Bohol Association of Non-Government Organizations, Inc. in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO).
Furthermore, the forum aimed to align the province’s strategic direction toward accelerated renewable energy deployment and strengthen local government participation in advancing clean energy initiatives.
Governor Aris Aumentado emphasized that the province’s transition to renewable energy is both an environmental responsibility and an economic necessity.
“The Bohol Renewable Energy Leaders Forum comes at a defining moment for our province,” Aumentado said in his message.
He also stressed the need for stronger local implementation of renewable energy policies to attract investments, improve energy security, and support long-term development.
Additionally, the BANGON Inc. President Francis Bernard Batoy highlighted the importance of translating discussions into concrete actions that will ensure reliable and sustainable energy access for communities across the province.
Providing the national context, Department of Energy Assistant Director Ruby de Guzman discussed the country’s renewable energy goals under the National Renewable Energy Program and the Philippine Energy Plan.
De Guzman also highlighted the need for local governments to align with national targets as the country works toward increasing the share of renewable energy in its power mix.
Sharing lessons from local implementation, former Energy Secretary and now the Governor of the Province of Leyte, Carlos Jericho Petilla, emphasized the importance of developing local power sources and distributed energy systems to strengthen energy resilience.
Drawing from Leyte’s experience, he highlighted how investments in solar energy and battery storage can help reduce dependence on external power supply while improving long-term energy security.
Meanwhile, Rolando Distura presented Iloilo’s efforts to integrate renewable energy into public services, particularly in schools and hospitals, through strong collaboration between the legislative and executive branches and partnerships with national government agencies.
Capping the forum’s presentations, Board Member Atty. Jamie Aumentado Villamor outlined Bohol’s renewable energy journey, highlighting landmark initiatives such as the province’s coal ban ordinance, the Renewable Energy Code, and the establishment of the Bohol Renewable Energy Board.
Villamor, chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources & Environmental Protection of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, also presented upcoming strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring that future energy development supports both economic growth and ecological preservation.
The forum provided local chief executives and planning officers with insights on policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and practical strategies that can help accelerate renewable energy adoption at the municipal level, reinforcing Bohol’s vision of a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
The activity supports the PGBh’s Strategic Change Agenda on Environmental Protection and Resilience, advancing initiatives that promote clean energy, climate action, and sustainable development across the province. (PIMO/JFP)
