[As Prepared]

[Greetings]

I am pleased to join you all today as we celebrate the partnership between the Philippines and the United States toward establishing reliable power supply for people living Puerto Princesa City, the rest of the Province of Palawan, and the Philippines as a whole.

Having access to power leads to a better quality of life for citizens. When communities have a reliable power supply, it means they are more attractive to economic investments, streets are safer, children read in the evenings with their families, health facilities can provide continuous services, and many other benefits. But extreme weather and other natural disasters can disable the energy grids that connect producers to energy consumers. Around the world, and here in the Philippines, USAID invests in energy systems that can power inclusive economic and social development.

With the guidance and support of the Philippine Department of Energy, USAID and the U.S. Pacific Command teamed up with American private sector partners, the Department of Energy, and the Palawan Electric Cooperative to introduce an innovative approach to energy grid resilience in the Philippines.

Congratulations to all of those that have supported this effort, particularly our friends from the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO). I know it was no small feat to have this equipment installed in time for the ASEAN meetings last November 2017.

The pilot initiative introduces a new paradigm for grid monitoring and analysis to better understand and improve energy grid operations with regard to stability, quality and resiliency. This enhanced grid monitoring capability can highlight system vulnerabilities that can inform a smarter grid resilience roadmap for the Philippines.

I understand that the joint team has spent the last two days exploring how this monitoring system can be institutionalized. I would like to congratulate you in advance for prioritizing grid stability in order to improve the reliability of power in communities, to ultimately improve the lives of those who live here.

This is one of several other USAID projects that support the Department of Energy in achieving its goal of “Energy access for more.” We believe that the security of energy is an important component of our shared vision of inclusive and sustainable growth for Filipinos.

USAID is proud to have been a part of this partnership to bring expanded electricity capability to the Philippines. Together with our partners from the U.S. Pacific Command, we remain committed to working hand in hand with the Department of Energy and the Palawan Electric Cooperative in the continued development of this project.

We thank the Palawan Electric Cooperative for being such gracious hosts, as well as the other agencies and private sector organizations that have supported this endeavor. We look forward to your continued cooperation and to more successes in the future.

Congratulations and mabuhay!