DOE pursues energy efficiency, sustainability

The Philippine government is pursuing its thrust to promote energy efficiency, sustainability and total electrification, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“The DOE is prioritizing the delivery of quality energy service to our people, not only in the business districts but also in the rural areas,” he said.

This is part of the objectives of Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), a joint undertaking by DOE and the European Union (EU), which is to assist the Philippines in expanding sustainable energy generation to meet growing economic needs and provide energy access to the poor and marginalized sector in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan.

ASEP will be implemented through three components: Component 1, the “Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Pillar (ASEP-TA)”, Component 2, the “Investment Support” managed by the World Bank, and Component 3, the “Call for Proposals for Pro-Poor and Climate Resilient Innovative Energy Solutions” directly managed by the EU Delegation.

“With all the program’s key players gathered in one venue, we aim to seek each other’s concerns, insights and suggestions to be more synergized in our approach towards carrying out the ASEP,” Cusi said.

Recently, the DOE, EU and World Bank conducted a joint planning workshop for the ASEP.

Participants in the workshop were expected to be more updated on the different implementation mechanisms and roles of ASEP players after the joint planning workshop with hopes that this will further strengthen the agency’s E-Power Mo Campaign designed to empower consumers by providing them information and options on the intelligent utilization of energy resources.