CCCI to push campaign for sustainable power supply

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry vowed to continue campaigning for a sustainable energy supply in Cebu in 2010 and to invite more investors to come and help alleviate the power shortage problem in the province.

CCCI Vice President for external affairs and relations division, Ted Locson Jr., said that they are continually encouraging their members to properly utilize their energy supply, especially the big firms that consume a lot of power.

Locson said that since talks of a looming power shortage surfaced, they have already been very vocal on tackling the concern especially that it will affect a whole lot of industries.

He said in an earlier interview that while the energy problem would not affect the coming in of investors, it is still an important matter to look into since energy is one of the most important things needed for businesses especially with the coming in of more Business Process Outsourcing companies where energy plays a vital role in their operations.

According to Locon, they also make sure that potential investors are being updated on the current situation of the energy supply and that they know that the issue will be addressed and hopefully normalized by next year.

CCCI president Samuel Chioson said that they are also in full support of the programs that help save energy like the provinces and the Visayan Electric Company’s Interruptible load agreement with major establishments in Cebu.

Chioson said that there have been less brownouts felt already in the past few weeks due to the de-loading program and the collected effort of the whole community in saving energy, may it be in establishments or in households.

He added that they are also looking forward for more investors to look into renewable energy sources in Cebu as to not be enticed in the use of coal-fired power plants, which has been the center of controversy as environmentalists lambaste the effects it does to the environment.

According to CCCI VP Locson, it is important to show the investors that they are putting their money on something worth it wherein they will be generating income. “If we could show them this, then no question, they will be coming in.”

Locson said that new technologies are also easing the problem on energy since innovations are gearing forward for better energy sufficiency.

Further, the group shared that they will be intensifying their efforts on the matter in the coming year, specifically for the annual Cebu Business month where they will be coming up with more activities on renewable energy and other activities that promote caring for the environment. — AJ de la Torre