ILOILO — With power reliability increasingly seen as a make-or-break factor for investments and economic growth, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo has created a dedicated Committee on Energy to tackle energy projects and address recurring power concerns such as prolonged brownouts, among others.
The new committee was approved on February 3 during the SP’s 29th regular session and will be chaired by 4th District Provincial Board member Rolando Distura, cited by the body for his consistent advocacy as a local energy champion.
Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque will serve as vice chairperson, in her capacity as chair of the Committee on Transportation, Communication, and Public Utilities.
The committee’s creation, proposed by Board Member Lito Cajilig, received unanimous support from SP members.
“We want to give focus to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power. Energy is no longer just a technical concern, it is a development issue,” Debuque said.
Debuque stressed that affordable and reliable electricity is crucial in attracting investments, generating jobs, and enhancing Iloilo’s competitiveness.
“This new committee will have its hands full as it pushes policies that support renewable energy without compromising food security, streamlines energy-related processes, helps align provincial initiatives with national energy policies, and promotes responsible practices, including the proper management and disposal of solar panels,” she added.
For his part, Distura said the committee will serve as a central venue for addressing power concerns, allowing issues to be referred and acted upon more efficiently.
The committee, he added, will also build on existing provincial measures, including the Iloilo Simplified Implementation of Permits and Local Clearances for Local Energy Projects (I-SIMPLE), which aims to standardize permit processing and reduce bureaucratic delays that deter renewable energy investors.
Beyond local concerns, the Committee on Energy is expected to elevate Iloilo’s power needs to the national government, including requests for additional transmission lines and electricity supply, to prevent a repeat of prolonged brownouts that have previously lasted three to four days in some areas of the province./PN
