DoE, EU-ASEP capped program success
The technical assistance (TA) component of the European Union-supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU-ASEP) with the theme, “ASEP-TA Phase One Finale: A Retrospective,” marked its three years on Wednesday at the Rizal Park Hotel.
ASEP is a joint undertaking of the EU and the Department of Energy (DoE) geared towards providing access to renewable energy for the poor, remote households in the Philippines; enhancing and supporting the energy efficiency initiatives in the energy sector; and capacitating the energy movers in the Energy institutions. These activities were mainly in the area of off-grid rural electrification, energy efficiency and capacity development.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said, “The implementation of ASEP-TA’s first phase is our success as a united energy family. Through our combined efforts, we have achieved so much in the past three years, which have gone far in effecting positive change in the lives of our kababayans living in remote areas.”
Head of Development Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, Enrico Strampelli, together with DoE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella led the event. Guest speakers included Department of Science and Technology’s Undersecretary for Research of Development, Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara; National Economic Development Authority Assistant Secretary, Roderick Planta; and Team Energy Foundation Inc. Executive Director, Ricky de Castro.
Fuentebella, in his opening remarks, expressed the DoE’s appreciation to the EU for helping the Philippines pursue renewable energy activities that would help ensure equitable energy access, as well as energy conservation and efficiency in the country.