BOHOL — Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, a former Energy Secretary, delivered a keynote address at the Bohol Leaders Forum on Renewable Energy on June 3, 2026. The forum, held at the Bohol Tropics Resort, gathered government leaders, energy experts, and stakeholders to discuss accelerating clean energy deployment across the province.
Petilla drew from his dual experience: national policymaker and leader of a province hosting one of the world's largest geothermal complexes. He emphasized that developing local power sources is essential for energy resilience and reducing dependence on external supply. His insights offered Bohol a practical blueprint for energy independence.
Lessons from Leyte's Geothermal Giant
Petilla highlighted how Leyte's over 700‑megawatt geothermal facility stabilizes the Visayas grid and provides reliable, low‑cost power. He stressed that local governments must take the lead in developing distributed generation, rather than relying solely on national projects. Solar energy paired with battery storage, he noted, can strengthen local grids and prevent outages.
The governor's message resonated strongly with Bohol officials. Petilla has championed energy decentralization at the provincial level, proving that local leadership can drive meaningful change in the power sector. His experience as both regulator and implementer gave his presentation unique credibility and practical depth.
Bohol's Own Renewable Energy Push
The forum also showcased Bohol's aggressive clean energy agenda. The province has enacted the landmark Clean and Renewable Energy Code, a pioneering ordinance that streamlines RE development. It also established the Bohol Renewable Energy Board to oversee policy implementation and adopted a ban on coal‑fired power plants.
These initiatives position Bohol as a leader in provincial energy reform. Organizers from Bangon Inc. and the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office designed the forum to align stakeholders around a shared vision. The event underscored that achieving energy security requires collaboration among government, industry, and civil society.
