A virtual exit presentation showcasing transformative engagements served as a page turner to Balik Scientist Awardee, Dr. Laurence L. Delina’s short engagement to the Balik Scientist Program (BSP), conducted through Cisco Webex and broadcasted live through Dr. Delina’s host institution, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP)’s Facebook Page, last March 4, 2021.
The hope in hosting more Balik Scientist in USTP highlighted Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura’s opening remarks as he acknowledged that collaborations such as the BSP help to uphold the university’s vision.
Dr. Delina’s recommending council, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology (PCIEERD), the Executive Director, Dr. Enrico Paringit mentioned that one of the notable accomplishments that PCIEERD have is that through the program’s goal in bringing back Filipino Scientists from other countries.
The Five Activities
The presentation of exit report covered Dr. Delina’s five activities that produced notable outputs accelerating the energy sector of USTP
First activity covered the planning for a community energy transition demonstration facility, especially in terms of new technologies, within the university’s Science and Technology Park at the Alubijid (AGILA) Campus. This included eight (8) meetings and discussions with USTP’s faculty and researchers that helped utilized the entire campus as a site for the sociotechnical energy transition community and as a training and extension facility introducing concept of energy transfer.
Through the first activity, Dr. Delina drafted nine policy recommendations such as:
- A law allowing, supporting, and nudging Filipino households to deploy, install, and maintain solar home PV systems through capacity building, capital financing, and progressive tariff rates;
- Revise the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and realign/adapt its mechanisms to the new realities of low-cost wind and solar, and the country’s ocean and geothermal tariff rates;
- A complementary law to make energy systems resilience part and parcel of disaster and risk reduction programs;
- LGUs including barangays, should adopt energy transition as a key policy in their jurisdictions;
- Energy transition should be institutionalized in education;
- Energy resilience should be made part and parcel of energy transition policy;
- Future adaptations must be included in the planning of energy systems;
- Energy resilience should be incorporated in disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction plans; and
- LGUs should strengthen opportunities for community participation in energy transition.
Dr. Delina’s second activity was meetings with USTP’s faculty members and researchers in order to assist funding for energy sufficiency and energy transition projects and community energy that is demonstrated in Southern Philippines.
As for the third activity, Dr. Delina mentored Dr. Liezl M. Jabile and Engr. Rosalie Virtudes which are faculty members of USTP on energy transition research.
Dr. Delina also developed elective and special courses on sustainable energy transition that can be offered by USTP which marked his fourth activity.
Finally, his fifth activity involved two public lectures on sustainable and just energy transition, community energy, and energy resiliency in Southern Philippines.
Way-Forward after the BSP Engagement
USTP assured the stakeholders to forward Dr. Delina’s policy recommendations through collaborations with Cagayan de Oro’s representative to the congress.
Dr. Delina also encouraged LGUs to adopt the demonstration facility established at USTP, he also wished to continue rapport with the BSP since his goal is to be a long-term Balik Scientist.
Dr. Ruby Raterta, the Chief Science Research Specialist of PCIEERD’s Human Resources and Institution Development Division awarded the certificate of recognition to Dr. Delina.
Final congratulations for a fruitful engagement closed the ceremony lead by the Chancellor of USTP Cagayan de Oro, Atty. Dionel O. Albina.