CdeO'sBEST Vol. 2, Issue 4 | Page 16

AWARENESS

CB | JULY 2013

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 420 OUTLETS

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“IN” / SCENE / THEARTS / CITY / LEISURE / ACADEME / HEALTH / PEOPLE / AWARENESS

MinCARED 2013
MAINSTREAMING THE MINDANAO POWER AGENDA
LALAINE J.L. CINCO
CORRESPONDENT

A

FGD TRACKS
TRACK 1: MINDANAO HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT 11 Approved Resolutions 1 of 11 Approved Resolution Titles: “Reiteration of opposition to the privatization of the Agus and Pulangi Power Plants adopted during the 1st MinCARED” TRACK 2: RENEWABLE ENERGY RURAL ELECTRIFICATION 7 Approved Resolutions 1 of 7 Approved Resolution Titles: “Electric co-op exemption from real property tax payments” TRACK 3: POLICY ISSUES

power crisis has arrived in Mindanao and it serves as an emergency trigger, which prompts the need to advocate ideas that would bring action to the power industry and for the general public to be informed of what is really happening to the power. This is one of the reasons why Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development (MinCARED) held an event last May 27-28, 2013 at the Xavier Estates Country Club with the theme “Mainstreaming the Mindanao Power Agenda”. The Mindanao Power Agenda is the “Reliable, Affordable, and Sustainable Power Supply in Mindanao” which MinCARED seeks to attain in the near future. To achieve a sustained visible platform for sustainable energy development is one of MinCARED’s objectives; an objective which necessitates a broader participation of society in general, creating forums or focused group discussions (FGD) in which they can articulate their interests, needs, and aspirations. There is an increased need for groupings concentrating on power because of the Mindanao power crisis and such groups are also imperative to help the power industry so that they can support our economic and structural development. The FGD were divided into three topics or tracks (as they call it) and each track came up with resolutions addressing the pressing issues of Mindanao. A total of 20 resolutions were approved during the congress, which are suited for Mindanao in the context of power industry. According to Mr. Stanley B. Uriarte, MinCARED Event Manager and IPSEc Executive Officer, ”MinCARED is for the consumers, the majority of those living in Mindanao, and those who are interested for Mindanao to adopt renewable energy and rural electrification. The bottom line for all of this is to increase the quality of life of the people living in Mindanao.” He also states that “MinCARED 2013 was a success, despite the problems.” The Congress Sponsors for MinCARED 2013 were CONERGY, ABOITIZ POWER, CENERGY-USAID, SMART Communications Inc., NGCP, INFINITY, GMA NORTHERN MINDANAO, BUSINESS WEEK, and THAI ME UP. MinCARED Organizers include Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Institute of Power Sector Economics (IPSEc), and Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA). Mr. Uriarte challenges us with this closing state-

2 Approved Resolutions 1 of 2 Approved Resolution Titles: “Object to the implementation of IMEM (Interim Mindanao Electricity Market) in Mindanao due to the limited energy sources”

? Romeo M. Montenegro, Director for Investment Promotion, TOP:

Internal Relations and Public Affairs of MinDA, receives the plaque of appreciation from AMRECO president Sergio C. Dagooc and MUST president Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras. BELOW: Participants of the MinCARED 2013. (© Indieyou Productions, 2013)

ment, “MinCARED will continue its journey in the future should the new generation of professionals choose to continue MinCARED’s legacy of providing a voice and a chance for the consumers in the power industry to be heard. We all strive for a future where everything is convenient. But with convenience also comes responsibility.”CB

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