The Department of Energy (DOE) expects to save P2 billion from both electricity and fuel consumption with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of an order directing the accelerated implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).
Administrative Order (AO) No. 15 highlights the implementation of Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act in all government entities under the executive branch, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), their subsidiaries, and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
“The President wants the entire government to embrace energy conservation measures. AO 15 will intensify our efficient utilization and conservation efforts in the use of electricity and fuel to help mitigate energy demand, especially with the onset of El Niño,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement.
“It advocates a shift to a sustainable energy lifestyle with government setting a strong example,” Lotilla added.
The DOE is expected to release the implementing guidelines of the AO within 30 days from the effectivity of the AO 15.
The GEMP implementation is guided by the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC) created under the EEC Act.
It aims to reduce the entire government’s electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent through energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) strategies.
The IAEECC is tasked to prepare an annual assessment of opportunities for energy cost reduction in all government instrumentalities and mandating the adoption of energy-efficient measures and technologies.
The DOE said the government reached a total electricity savings of more than P300 million or the equivalent of over 30 million kilowatthours and more than P25 million fuel savings equivalent to 386,083.59 liters of fuel with the institutionalization of GEMP.
These savings are the result of 1,210 audited government offices out of the estimated 8,000 total entities identified.
AO 15 also directs the conduct of energy audits, submission of inventory of existing energy consuming equipment, and timelines for upgrading to more energy efficient equivalents, ensuring compliance with the DOE guidelines on energy conserving design for buildings and the Philippine Green Building Code for new building construction and building retrofits, and adopting low-cost EEC measures by maintaining ambient temperature of 24°C in air-conditioned spaces, turning off unused lights and air conditioning units, and activating sleep settings on office equipment.
AO 15 mandates the designation of an EEC officer and focal persons in each government entities, compliance with the DOE-GEMP Online System, preparation of the EEC programs, and allocation of appropriate amount for the implementation of planned energy management program.
The DOE-GEMP Online System is an internet submission platform of vehicles, appliances and lighting inventories, and monthly electricity and fuel consumption.