The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday approved a resolution urging the national government through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, together with all the stakeholders in the forthcoming Philippine Energy Summit to set clear policy directions for the promotion of renewable energy rather than encouraging coal-fire plants.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, also urges the national government to develop strategies to address the energy crisis and to seriously undertake long-term programs and policies on energy, fuel and power utilization and conservation for the benefit of the Filipino people.

The resolution said the Philippine Energy Summit opens on January 29, 2008 and will resume two days later on January 31, February 5 and 7 in Manila .

It said the Philippines' goal of reaching 60 percent energy self-sufficiency in three years time is marked by the growing number of contracts given out for oil and gas explorations, intensified efforts in developing renewable energy and on-going power sector reforms.

The resolution said Bacolod City , as a business growth area, calls for long term plans to develop the energy resources which involves developing indigenous energy resources and reforming the electricity industry to become more transparent and democratic.

It said the principle that stability in power and energy supply in a give local government unit is an important platform for economic development should also interplay with the priority of protecting our environment, therefore, energy development without impact upon the environment should be encouraged.*CGS

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