The UPLB- College of Economics and Management Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPLB-CEMAFI), in collaboration with the CEM Seminar Committee, had successfully hosted the third lecture on Energy-related issues last May 11, 2018. This was held at the ICOPED Auditorium with the theme: “Solar-Powered Productive Applications for Offgrid Areas: Results of Feasibility Studies in 3 Communities in Davao and Bohol.” The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ernesto N. Terrado, a key expert on Rural Electrification of the EU-funded Project “Access to Sustainable Energy Programme” (ASEP) currently implemented by the Department of Energy. He talked about the challenges of providing access to energy for as many as 10% of Philippine households who remain un-electrified.
The main challenge, he notes, is in the form of providing the most economically efficient means of generating energy for these households and at the same time expanding their income opportunities. To emphasize this point, he discussed the results of feasibility studies for the productive applications of Solar Power in three pilot sites in Bohol and Davao. Based on initial findings, he concluded that the prospects of these applications are good. He therefore encouraged the academic community to do its share in promoting this effort – an idea shared by some faculty members from the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT) who were in attendance.
Approximately 50 students, faculty, and researchers attended the lecture. Succeeding lectures will continue to dwell on issues relevant to the Development and Deployment of Renewable Energy – all in keeping with CEM’s effort of promoting Rural Economic Development through more extensive use of Renewable Energy Technology. Trixsie Bullecer