Negros Oriental unveils ‘RE code’

BY LENIE LECTURA – FEBRUARY 1, 2022
from Business Mirror

In a bid to increase renewable energy (RE) investment, the provincial government of Negros Oriental launched the country’s first Clean, RE ordinance.

Dubbed the RE code, it is the first ordinance of its kind in the Philippines focused on incentivizing incoming RE investors through carbon credits, as it prioritizes the use of clean sources of power and bans the construction of coal-fired power plants in the province.

“The renewable energy ordinance is a landmark piece of local legislation that will surely boost the morale of our environmental warriors and champions in the field, and most of all, this will give us more drive to continue sustain our efforts for a clean and sustainable world,” said Governor Roel Degamo, who signed the ordinance.

The RE code was unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in concurrence with timely climate action considering the devastating impact of global warming. It was unanimously passed by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan on December 23, 2021, and signed into law by Degamo on January 11.

Almana Power Corp. (APC), a 100-percent Filipino-owned business committed to providing clean, renewable, sustainable and cost-effective power in the country, is the first entity to apply for and avail of the tax incentives under this code.

The RE code also encourages all eligible institutions and companies to avail of the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) that allows power consumers with monthly consumption of at least 100 kilowatts to get electricity from a renewable energy source directly from licensed GEOP providers.

EDC subsidiary Green Core Geothermal Inc. is a licensed GEOP provider. “We are one with Governor Degamo and the rest of the Negros Oriental local government in our commitment to preserving your green province,” said EDC President Richard Tantoco.