Energy beat reporters inaugurate new library

The Energy beat reporters recently inaugurated the Energy Library at the WESM Offices in Ortigas with the support of the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC). The energy industry’s luminaries graced the launch with Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes and Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Rodolfo Albano unveiling the commemorative marker.

Energy Library Project Coordinator Myrna Velasco said, “It is our dream to make the public understand the energy industry. With this project, we not only fulfilled a module in our Knowledge and Capacity Enhancement Training Program, we took a definitive step in achieving that dream.”

The library is intended to make information accessible to the energy beat journalists and eventually to the general public. Organizers of the project are currently finalizing the guidelines that will make the Energy Library accessible to local and foreign journalists, students and researchers. The library will be open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be closed on weekends and holidays. Visits may be scheduled through the PEMC Corporate Communications Office, 18th Floor, Robinson’s Equitable Tower, Ortigas Center, Pasig City at telephone number 631-8734.

The Energy beat reporters unveiled a rare collection of energy books donated by the industry as well as a number of volumes from Stanford University. Currently however, the library is still in the process of building its collection and industry participants are expected to contribute energy-related books and materials. Rare volumes, an online collection, as well as an energy database are in the plans for the library’s expansion in the future.

“More than anything else, the access to information through the Energy Library and the training of the reporters will help the public understand the energy industry. The more informed the reporters are, the better it is for the public and the industry,” said PEMC president Lasse A. Holopainen.