WHEREAS, Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7638, otherwise known as the "Department of Energy Act of 1992," as amended by Section 37 of RA 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001," empowers the Department of Energy (DOE) to formulate, plan, and implement comprehensive programs for the efficient supply and economical use of energy consistent with the approved national economic plan, policies on environmental protection and conservation and maintenance of ecological balance, and provide a mechanism for the integration, rationalization, and coordination of the various energy programs of the Government;