TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) recently held the Third Public Consultation on the Drafting of the Department Circular on the Guidelines for the Endorsement of Energy Efficiency (EE) Projects to the Board of Investments (BOI) for Fiscal Incentives. 

The online event, which was held on April 15, was participated in by representatives from the commercial and industrial sectors, industry associations, energy efficiency alliance group, professional organizations, and energy service companies (ESCOs).

Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi commended the successful holding of the public consultation and thanked everyone involved, including the attendees.

“I look forward to receiving the final copy of the department circular so we can release it at once. This will be a big boost in our efforts to attract investors as more fiscal incentives are given to EE projects,” Secretary Cusi said.

The proposed Department Circular aims to encourage investments for energy efficiency projects by providing fiscal incentives such as income tax holidays, where the DOE will evaluate EE projects and determine the total effect in consideration to energy savings that will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and lowered operational costs.

DOE Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr. welcomed the participants and thanked the BOI for their assistance in developing the draft circular.

For his part, Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas emphasized the importance of investments at a time of economic downturn and how energy efficiency plays a vital role for the resurgence of the country through investments and job generation.

Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB) Director Patrick T. Aquino presented the final version of the Department Circular and responded to follow-up questions during the open forum.

Once approved, the Department Circular will support the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act or R.A. 11285 that was enacted into law in 2019. The consolidated and final version of the circular will be submitted to Secretary Cusi for approval.

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