Power independence, with solar in Dagohoy
May 5, 2024
The much-talked about impending power shortage in the province is slowly being addressed with the installation of the first solar power in the central province of Bohol.
The province signaled the switch to green, renewable energy (RE) when the first array of solar panels was installed in San Vicente Dagohoy, last May 9, 2024.
The P1.2 billion Dagohoy Solar Power Project (DSPP) will supply 27 megawatts to over 15,000 households on the island and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado graced the monumental ceremony and thanked the Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC) for making the project possible. “Today’s solar panel installation is a testament to PetroGreen’s dedication to fulfilling its promise to the Boholanos of providing clean and safe electricity through renewable energy,” Aumentado said in his message.
The governor hoped the project would be the start of a strong and fruitful relationship between PetroGreen and the community, which would bolster the economic progress envisioned in his strategic Change Agenda on developing Bohol as a smart, resilient, and inclusive province. “I hope that PetroGreen as well as Rizal Green Energy Corporation, could consider investing in other RE projects, as they can be assured of our positive response to such investment,” he added.
Aside from the installation ceremony, PGEC key persons, along with Dagohoy local officials and stakeholders took the pledge of support during the launch of the “We Power H.E.L.P.” projects. HELP stands for Health, Education, Livelihoods, Programs and is the banner corporate social responsibility project (CSR) of the company.
The CSR initiatives for the beneficiary town include a teachers’ training program with the Department of Education (DepEd) – Bohol college scholarship grants through the municipal local government, and the Dagohoy Rattan Enhancement and Management or DREAM Project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Barangay San Vicente.
“Pasalamat ta sa PGEC nga kita ang napilian nila. Maka-guarantee ko nga maayo sila nga kompanya (kay) supportive sa community and generous gyud sila,” Dagohoy Mayor Hermie Relampagos said in an interview. PGEC’s generosity can be attributed to mobile clinics given each to the provincial capitol and the local government of Dagohoy, along with solar lights for the town’s barangays.
Meanwhile, Francisco Delfin Jr., PGEC President and CEO, in his message expounded on how the company’s RE projects, such as wind energy in Aklan in Panay, helped beneficiary communities advance their livelihood. “Our goal is not just to generate power, but our goal is to reduce poverty and generate prosperity for many Filipinos,” Delfin emphasized in his message.
Dagohoy Vice Mayor Roel Lagroma welcomed the guest while Yrel Ventura, PGEC assistant vice president, gave an overview of the “We Power H.E.L.P.” CSR programs.
Also present at the event were Milagros Reyes, PGEC Chairman; Atsushi Natsubori and Patricia Dela Cruz of TAISEI Corporation; Mark de Jesus and Kristina Mendoza of SN Aboitiz Power, Christian Ereño and Ronald Romero of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines: and local officials. The groundbreaking ceremony of the first large-scale solar power facility in the province was in September 2022. Dagohoy was chosen for the 23.9-hectare solar power project due to its flat terrain high heat index, and proximity to the transmission lines.
source: www.manilabulletin.com