Don’t waste energy, govt agencies ordered

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an administrative order (AO) directing government agencies to accelerate the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) to ensure efficient and judicious utilization of energy.

In a statement on Sunday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Administrative Order 15 was issued on Jan. 16, 2024.

“All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations are hereby directed, and all local government units are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts to ensure efficient and judicious utilization of energy,” read the President’s AO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

“For this purpose, all concerned government agencies shall accelerate the implementation of GEMP and relevant IAEECC Resolutions,” it added, referring to the Inter-Agency Energy and Efficiency Conservation Committee chaired by the Department of Energy (DoE).

The GEMP aims to reduce the government’s monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products through efficient use and conservation of energy and fuel.

It will be carried out by conducting energy audits from Certified Energy Auditors, cooperating with random energy spot-checks, submitting an inventory of existing energy-consuming equipment, and ensuring compliance with the DoE Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings and the Philippine Green Building Code for new building construction.

Also, the initiative includes adopting low-cost Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) measures consistent with the GEMP and institutionalizing EEC in their respective offices.

Consistent with IAEECC Resolution 5 (s. 2022) or the GEMP Guidelines, government agencies were directed to establish a mechanism for monitoring the energy consumption in their respective offices and adhere to the reportorial requirements of the DoE.

In coordination with the PCO, the DoE shall develop effective ways of communicating EEC measures to all government offices and the public.