ISSUANCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION LAW URGED

The Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) has called on the government to immediately sign into law the energy efficiency and conservation bill, saying every month of delay deprives the country of an estimated savings of P37.8 trillion through 2040.

PE2 president Alexander Ablaza said in a statement the Congress’ bicameral conference committee approved the bill in January, and is being transmitted to the Office of the President.

“Savings in terms of avoided energy purchases [over the next two decades]—which will benefit households, small businesses, buildings, industries, public facilities and other energy end-use sectors—will be less if the passage of the [bill] slips beyond this first quarter of 2019,” Ablaza said.

“Our energy market badly needs to arrest the business-asusual escalation of electricity tariff and fossil fuel prices, and a further delay in the implementation of energy-saving projects, programs and investments will only serve to delay their [tempering] effects on energy price increases,” he added.

Ablaza said the Philippines has had no energy efficiency law for over 28 years, and the last among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to have one.

Last month, the Senate and House panels agreed to enable foreign-owned energy efficiency and conservation projects to secure fiscal incentives.

They also agreed to insert clearer language that mandates local governments to establish energy efficiency and conservation offices and appoint energy efficiency and conservation officers.