Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
PRESS RELEASE
QUEZON CITY, 05 May 2026 – The Provincial Government of Northern Samar declared their commitment and determination to advance a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for the province during the Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap Scoping Workshop with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), held from April 27-30, 2026.
The recent workshop is part of a series of engagements organized by ICSC following the Memorandum of Agreement with Eastern Visayas local chief executives, which aim to institutionalize participatory local energy planning, craft local RE ordinances, and mobilize innovative financing for local governments in the region.
“The roadmap that we will develop here will shape how our province will move forward in the years to come. This journey towards a just energy transition is about creating an energy landscape that prioritizes our environment, supports our economy, and uplifts our communities more than just shifting away from fossil fuels,” said Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan in his keynote address.
Joining Governor Ongchuan in the scoping workshop were members of the Northern Samar Technical Working Group (TWG), with representatives from the LGU’s offices on general services; planning and development; economic, development, and investment promotion; disaster risk reduction and management; public employment; legal; youth development; persons with disabilities affairs; engineering; cooperative and community affairs; population; information; and environment and natural resources. The TWG was also joined by executives from local civil society organizations, particularly the Samar Crusade Against Poverty (SCPI) and the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc. (CERD), and the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO).
In a span of four days, Northern Samar’s TWG members participated in learning sessions that unpacked the Philippines’ national and local energy policy landscapes, on-grid and off-grid energy systems, RE project structures, financing and investment mechanisms for renewables, and streamlining permitting processes through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS). Representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB), Investment Promotion Office (IPO), and Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) were also present, providing technical and policy inputs during the workshop.
DOE Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol walked the participants through the role local governments play in advancing the energy transition and in reaching the Philippines’ renewable energy targets. “Local governments are not merely implementers of national policy, but key drivers in the transformation. LGUs are at the frontline of service delivery, closest to the realities of the communities you serve, and therefore, are in the best position to lead the transition towards cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable energy systems,” USec. Capongcol noted.
TWG members also learned from experiences in Iloilo City and Butuan City, which both have established their RE plan and roadmap. Northern Samar is not new to advancing the energy transition in their locality; in fact, they have already been recognized by the DOE in last year’s Sustainable Energy Awards as the winner in the local government units category. In addition, the province officially institutionalized Ordinance No. 7, known as the “Green Lane Policy,” making them the first LGU in the country to adopt an integrated framework that combines investment promotion, facilitation, regulatory streamlining, and investor aftercare for energy.
The province has a critical role to play in advancing the Philippines’ shift to renewable energy because of its high wind energy potential, both onshore and offshore as identified in the DOE’s Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ). In April 2025, the DOE awarded five service contracts in the province due to its favorable wind conditions, and just last month, it was announced that a new PHP 7 billion wind power project is set to rise in Victoria, Northern Samar. However, this potential must also be matched with grid and transmission readiness to support new RE and power generation infrastructure.
Governor Ongchuan also shared that upon the enactment of Memorandum Circular No. 114 on energy conservation protocols, the Provincial General Services Office has reported a 40% reduction in the LGU’s electricity consumption. “This reflects a conscious effort on our part to practice energy efficiency and responsible consumption,” he said.
Building on the learning sessions and existing initiatives of the province, the Northern Samar TWG collectively set the province’s RE targets, explored pathways for integrating RE in both on-grid and off-grid communities, and identified financing opportunities they can utilize.
“For Northern Samar, the opportunity is particularly meaningful. With its unique geography, including islands and remote communities, the province stands to benefit greatly from decentralized energy solutions such as rooftop solar, microgrids, and hybrid systems. These are not just technical options; they are powerful ways to inclusive development,” said Usec. Capongcol.
In the planning workshops, TWG members also put emphasis on the importance of prioritizing technical expertise and building the capacity of LGU personnel, embedding renewable energy in the province’s projects and programs, and harmonizing RE initiatives across all sectors to ensure the sustainability of energy transition efforts. “Renewable energy is about resilience in times of crisis, opportunities for local investments and jobs, and sustainable growth that benefits everyone, even the farthest communities of our province,” added Governor Ongchuan.
“We are 110% committed to RE in our province, we will make sure to capitalize on the learnings that we received, and we are highly determined in Northern Samar to continue these efforts,” said Board Member Emil Nicholas Ongchuan II, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Energy, Utilities and Franchises in the province, as he closed the workshop.
ICSC’s series of local energy planning sessions continues with the LGU of Cagayan de Oro City this week, and with the provincial government of Eastern Samar and the municipal government of Paranas, Samar, within the month of May.
“We commit to doing our part and empowering LGUs across the country to better define and embrace their critical role in advancing renewable energy initiatives within their jurisdictions. Every community is unique, and through data-driven insights and local context, we can identify renewable energy opportunities that are not only viable but truly responsive to the needs of their constituents,” said the organization’s Executive Director, Angelo Kairos dela Cruz.
ABOUT
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities is a Philippine-based non-governmental organization that advances climate, energy, and low-carbon solutions to enable fair and climate-resilient development at the national and international levels.
PHOTOS
Photos can be accessed here.
Photos (c) ICSC
CONTACT
Sanaf Marcelo, ICSC: media@icsc.ngo, +63 968 886 3466, +63 917 149 5649
Pauline Alvarez, ICSC: media@icsc.ngo, +63 999 338 9414
