By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom Correspondent

True to its commitment to championing renewable energy development, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has equipped a pool of trainers with executive competency skills on renewable energy.  

Key personnel of the University Affiliated Renewable Energy Center (AREC) and faculty members of the Department of Professional Science Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering (PSM-REE) in the MMSU Graduate School (GS) attended the Renewable Energy Executive Competency Training Program (REECTP) held at the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center conference room yesterday, March 9.

Through the program, the MMSU trainers are expected to help equip the competencies of local government unit (LGU) executives on implementing renewable energy initiatives in the communities.

The activity oriented the participants on energy environment; renewable energy laws, policies, mechanism and guidelines; energy cases of interest at the ground; planning and programming, resource assessment, and evaluation tools.

It also taught them on developing teaching materials; engaging stakeholders; strengthening public-private partnerships; integrating RE laws, plans, and programs in local development planning process; managing resource requirements for financial budgeting and operations; training management; and, tasking and logistic arrangement.

Resource persons were Atty. Josefina Patricia M. Asirit, former commissioner and now a consultant of the Energy Regulatory Commission; Engr. Gaspar G. Escobar, Jr. chief of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau - Technical Services Management Division of the Department of Energy; Engr. Noralyn Manatan, development planner of Batac city government; Dr. Bjorn Santos, MMSU director for research and REECTP training director; Dr. Marlowe Aquino, university director for planning; and Dr. Doreen Domingo, GS dean.

Engr. Thomas Ubiña, AREC program leader, said the program “is our initial step in strengthening our renewable energy campaigns in communities, in partnership with the LGUs and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte.”

For her part, University President Shirley C. Agrupis said the program signifies MMSU’s commitment in developing and cascading renewable energy technologies in the locality. She also thanked the DOE for its full support to the university in the development endeavor.

The REECTP forms a significant part in strengthening the mandates of the AREC and PSM-REE program in the university. It is also in line with the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 or RA 9513.

MMSU has been serving as DOE’s extension arm in implementing the department’s mandate in the Ilocos Region with the establishment of the AREC (then Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center) in 1989. It is also the lone university in the Philippines offering the PSM-REE, a two-year graduate degree program aimed at preparing professionals for careers in renewable energy engineering in public and private industries. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)