HOW to increase the energy sector’s resilience to the impact of climate change will be the focus, among others, of the second round of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu.
More than 400 delegates to the 12th APEC Energy Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings, set for Oct. 12 to 14 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, are expected to start arriving next week.
They are expected to come up with a Cebu Declaration to be presented to the APEC leaders in November.
Carmencita A. Bariso, Department of Energy (DOE) policy and planning bureau assistant director, said the meetings will have four sub-themes, namely, climate-proofing energy infrastructure, providing avenue for cutting edge energy efficiency technologies, advocating community-based energy in energy-poverty-stricken areas and improving trade and investments.
“There is that constant risk from natural disasters thus we need to also focus on the energy resilient agenda. We will need an infrastructure that can withstand disasters. As we all know, electricity and water are the two most important resources needed for fast recovery in areas affected by any calamity,” she said in a forum organized by the Association of Government Information Officers yesterday.
The Energy Ministers Meeting will be held on October 13. Prior to this, a Special Energy Working Group meeting will happen on October 12 and an Energy Ministers-Energy CEOs Dialogue on October 13.
Mactan Electric Cooperative (MECO) vice president and general manager Gilbert Pagobo said they have conducted maintenance checks and set in place contingency measures.
“Other utilities have also committed to willingly divert power to our system should we have supply shortage,” he said.