The Department of Energy said the government will showcase Negros Island as a role model for renewable energy development and utilization.

A DOE report shows that Negros has a potential for cogeneration projects and biomass resources, and has an estimated biomass potential of about 192,723 metric tons coming from bagasse, ricehull and coconut waste. All these could translate to about 166 gigawatt hours of electricity, it said.

Meanwhile, the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy is pushing for the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill.

The group said in a statement to the DAILY STAR they had urged Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairperson of the energy committee, to sponsor the approval of Senate Bill 2562 or "An Act Promoting and Enhancing the Development, Utilization and Commercialization of Renewable Energy Resources."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had certified the bill as urgent, citing the need to address public emergency arising from the urgent need to achieve sustainable development of the country country through environmental sustainability and energy self-sufficiency.

The DOE has declared the Visayas as the country's Renewable Energy Center, with more than 80 percent of electricity demand in the region supplied by geothermal energy.*NLG

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