DOE Gets Policy Support From EU Switch-Asia Programme

MEDIA RELEASE
April 21, 2013

(Taguig City) – In pursuit of its thrust of promoting clean energy and energy-efficiency projects in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE), as one of the key players in the European Union (EU)-funded SWITCH-Asia Programme, participated in the 1st Project Steering Committee Meeting held recently at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City.

Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, CESO I, who represents DOE in the Steering Committee, welcomed the assistance of EU through its SWITCH-Asia Programme to facilitate the implementation of laws that promote renewable energy, such as, Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the Biofuels Act. Likewise, it will aid DOE and those from the private sector in developing and further improving energy efficiency standards in the transportation and industrial sectors.

Under SWITCH-Asia, technical assistance and training will be provided to concerned government agencies for the effective enforcement of relevant Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)-based laws.

A total of €3.5 million (P186 million) has been allocated to the Philippine government to support its policy priorities in the fields of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Biofuels, Green Procurement and Eco-labeling, and Clean Air, among others.

"The Philippines received the biggest out of the four Asian countries benefitting from the financial assistance," said Maria Eloida Balamiento, Senior Energy Advisor of the SWITCH Policy Support Programme. The other three countries are Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) chairs the Steering Committee, with the DOE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as members. The group is responsible for the evaluation and approval of the projects to be funded by the programme. Results of the project will be regularly monitored and evaluated by the EU, which will then make the necessary adjustments in the implementation.