DOE holds consultations on renewable energy regulations

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Wednesday 27th of June 2012

ILOILO CITY, June 27 (PIA6) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) has formulated a set of rules and regulations on occupational safety, health and environment that will be implemented in the Renewable Energy (RE) sector, screened through public consultations.

The document, entitled “Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations” (RESHERR), is being subjected to a series of public consultations with RE sector stakeholders prior to writing a final draft.

The second leg of the public consultation series was held in Iloilo City (for the Visayas area) last June 26. Earlier this month, a similar forum was in Baguio City for Luzon groups.

DOE Renewable Energy Management Division Director Mario C. Marasigan said the RESHERR will be launched during the National Energy Consciousness Month celebration in December.

RESHERR was conceived to promote adequate safety and protection against hazards to health, life, and property, as well as air, water, and land pollution from renewable energy operations.

The proposed RESHERR grants authority to the DOE through the Renewable Energy Management Bureau director to enforce the rules and other pertinent regulations towards occupational safety, health, and environment in the RE sector.

It also binds employers to make arrangements and institute measures in accordance with the rules and regulations and employees to use any machinery, equipment, dangerous substance, transport equipment, means of production or safety device supplied by employer in accordance with company polices and its relevant provisions, among others.

The RESHERR also provides for administrative penalties ranging from P10,000 to P500,000 and/or suspension of operation for any violation of its provisions.

It also requires RE organizations or facilities to issue their respective general safety, health, and environment policy statement, organize a safety and health committee, and follow qualifications and accreditation standards for safety engineer or officer set by the DOE or as per accreditation for safety practice set by DOLE.

It is also pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008” and Section 5 (a) and Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7638, also known as the “Department of Energy Act of 1992.”

Accident or hazard-free RE projects will also lead to their general acceptability by the public, said Marasigan.

He likened the proposed RESHERR to the occupational safety and health standards (OSHS) that has been adopted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the labor sector in general.

The Iloilo public consultation was participated by the RE sector stakeholder representatives, including safety engineers and officers from the Visayas area. The activity was organized by the DOE through its Visayas Field Office with the support of the Philippine Information Agency-6. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)