A kite surfer prepares to get into the water in Bangui bay, Ilocos Norte. (Alaric Yanos) |
By John Michael Mugas
PGIN-CMO
laoag
city—As the Provincial Government of Ilocos
Norte (PGIN) gears up for the influx of tourists for the summer season, Ilocos
Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos kicked off the preparation to ensure
success of the province’s hosting of the Expert Group on New and Renewable
Energy Technologies (EGNRET), a subcommittee of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC), set on April 12-17, 2015.
“As an emerging renewable
energy capital in the country, we are proud that the province was chosen to
host the meeting to be attended by experts, engineers, scientists from all over
the world as well as local Filipino scientists who wish to see the operations
of our windmills, the new solar plant and the rehabilitated hydro-plant here in
Ilocos Norte,” said Ms. Marcos during a press conference.
With participants from 23 APEC
member economies confirmed to attend the meeting, other delegates from 17
economies are expected to arrive in the province as they will lead the
workshops on renewable energy (RE).
Technical experts or division
chiefs of BIG SHOW (Bio mass, Bio fuel, Geothermal, Solar, Hydro, Ocean, Wind)
sectors or Renewable Energy (RE) technologies will head the delegates.
As the country was chosen to
host the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November, this meeting in Ilocos Norte is
important as it will set the tone for the entire summit.
The Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte supplies the water used by the hydro plant. (Alaric Yanos) |
“The chairman of EGNRET will
present the results of this meeting to the senior officials of energy [of APEC]
on October during the APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting which will be held in
Cebu,” noted Gaspar G. Escobar Jr., National Renewable Energy Board -Technical
Secretariat division chief of the Department of Energy.
Mr. Escobar added that at
least 15-20 Ilocanos from the local government and various academes in the
province can join the workshops.
Meanwhile, despite their
hectic and loaded schedule, the provincial government guarantees that the
delegates will experience the best of Ilocos Norte in terms of its tourism,
culture and tradition.
“Governor Imee will organize
a welcome dinner for the delegates on April 13 possibly in the world-renowned
Paoay Church or Malacañang of the North. They will also witness a cultural
presentation featuring the internationally-acclaimed Samiweng Singers and a
Mini Tan-Ok ni Ilocano dance performance during the dinner,” revealed the
Provincial Tourism Office.
A night tour will also be
offered to the delegates who would want to explore the Ilocos Norte’s capital
and other neighboring municipalities.
Governor Imee Marcos hopes
that by hosting this meeting, Ilocos Norte will be included in the APEC map
making the province a top venue for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing,
and Exhibitions).
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