Seven Communication students, along with two instructors, recently participated in the Power 101 Training Program for media, held on October 17-18, 2024, at the Seda Central Bloc, Cebu I.T. Park, Cebu City.
Hosted by Aboitiz Power and Visayan Electric, the two-day training provided a comprehensive overview of the Philippine power sector and energy markets, offering valuable insights into the industry’s structure, key players, and regulatory framework.
The participating students were Veejay Catadman, Christie Mae Sato, Claire Enad, Zhyreen Toledo, Franz Paulene Aberilla, Kyla Niña Espinosa, and Lynda Mecaros. They were joined by Communication Program instructors Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo and Marlen Limpag.
The program covered essential topics, including:
- Overview of the Philippine Power Sector: Exploring the structure, major players, and regulatory framework of the industry.
- Energy Markets: Understanding the dynamics of various energy markets, including electricity, oil, and gas.
- Energy Policy and Regulations: Examining the government’s role in shaping the energy sector through policies and regulations.
The training featured lectures from professors at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, along with insights from representatives of the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Participants gained valuable knowledge, leaving the event with a deeper understanding of the Philippine power sector and its energy markets—insights that will support their academic and professional pursuits in the field.
Reflecting on the experience, instructor Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo said, “I appreciate a utility distributor reaching out to the media and future journalists on how to further tell their energy stories beyond [electricity] rates and power outages. Very in-depth and enlightening.”
For Communication student Franz Paulene Aberilla, the seminar provided her with the tools and knowledge to better engage with the power sector. “[I got to learn] that there should be sufficient electricity supply to meet the demands of the consumers. [The seminar also equipped me with knowledge on improving efficiency, reducing loss, and ensuring fair competition in the power industry [which is] covered in the RA 9136 (also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001).”
Christie Mae Sato shared that the seminar introduced her to new information, specifically about how the power industry operates and how it is distributed and regulated. “As a communication student, knowing how power distribution works in the country can aid me in relaying such information to the public with adequate context and in a less complex manner. Knowledge on this industry helps us report on the topic better and build factual commentary, which I know is necessary for a topic that concerns the masses.”