ILOILO CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) has called on local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas to comply with the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), as required by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. The call was made during a media conference on Thursday by Lourdes Arciaga, Chief of DOE Visayas Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division.
According to Philippines News Agency, their office has been conducting spot-checks throughout Western Visayas to ensure LGU compliance with the program, which promotes energy efficiency measures such as reducing electricity and fuel consumption and using renewable energy systems. The spot-checking efforts, which began last year, have so far assessed 61 of the 139 LGUs in the region.
Results showed that only 42 LGUs have established their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Offices (EECOs), while 61 have active GEMP accounts. Additionally, 10 LGUs have implemented energy efficiency measures, and 30 submitted reports on electricity consumption, with 15 also reporting fuel utilization. Arciaga lauded municipalities like Batad, Dueñas, Leganes, and Mina in Iloilo for their high compliance, with scores ranging from 88 to 100 percent.
Engineer Jeriel Militar of Central Philippine University shared that they have been assisting LGUs through a knowledge empowerment initiative funded by USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines project. The project aims to help local governments meet the requirements of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which saw slowed implementation due to the pandemic. The initiative has conducted workshops and orientations across Panay Island, with the latest session held in Guimaras in late August.
Compliance with the energy efficiency law is expected to help LGUs reduce their electricity and fuel expenses.