DENR: Renewable energy to spur developments in WV

€The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) foresees economic developments through renewable energy that will soon cover Western Visayas.

Livino Duran, DENR assistant regional director for technical division, said Western Visayas has the biggest solar farm in Southeast Asia located in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

“We have windmills, hydro-power among others and we continue to receive more applications for the development of renewable energies,” Duran said during the whole day launching of the Oceans Month celebration.

He added the DENR is coordinating with the National Grid Corporations of the Philippines for the interconnection of renewable energy.

“To spur the development, the Smart Telecom coordinates with DENR to ensure the whole region has reliable internet connectivity,” Duran said.

Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez, director of biodiversity management bureau of DENR-Western Visayas urged tourists and residents to avoid single plastic use and straws.

Rodriguez said they chose Boracay as the host of this year’s Ocean Month celebration with the theme, “Stand Up Save Our Reefs” hoping to minimize the use of single plastics use among hotels, restaurants and other establishments in the island.

Gilbert Gonzales, director of DENR-Central Visayas, said they saw the rehabilitation of Boracay “as a model in conserving different tourism areas in Central Visayas.”

“In our region, we have Panglao Island and we hope to conserve the environment based on the best practices in Boracay,” said Gonzales.