TAGUIG CITY – Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today (1 February) called on the members of the Department of Energy (DOE) family to boost work efficacy and serve the public with integrity, as part of efforts to help the country recover from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Huwag po nating kalimutan na bilang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, sa atin po umaasa ang mga mamamayan. May responsibilidad po tayong gampanan ang ating tungkulin ng buong katapatan lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Let us continue to be efficient in our work. Like I said last month – be better, do better,” the Energy chief emphasized in his inspirational remarks during the agency’s flag raising ceremony.
For Secretary Cusi, improving work performance at the DOE would go a long way in helping “repackage the Philippines into a competitive investment destination”.
“When we do our work well, when we cut down previously lengthy processing times, we are doing our share in making investors see the country in a better light. We need to help the Philippines build back better, and we could start here at the DOE,” he added.
The Secretary also expressed his appreciation to the members of the DOE and the energy family for finding ways to persevere despite the difficulties at hand.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagsusumikap at pagsasakripisyo sa kabila ng ating mga pangagamba. I am confident that with hard work and cooperation, we would rise up to heal as one nation,” Secretary Cusi said.
The DOE remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure public service continuity amid the pandemic, as well as other emergencies and calamities. At the peak of the COVID-19 health crisis last year, the Department immediately activated its 24/7 Bayanihan Energy Services program to ensure the unhampered delivery of energy goods and services.
To date, the agency is closely working with its stakeholders in assisting all industry members, including the consumers, overcome the challenges that have been brought about by COVID-19. Among such measures is the on-going disbursement of remaining Energy Regulations No. 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program funds to augment the COVID-19 response activities of qualified local government units (LGUs) hosting energy generation facilities and/or energy resource development.
As of 31 December 2020, a total of PhP4.28 billion ER 1-94 Funds was released to host LGUs by the DOE. For January 2021, a total of PhP 113.34 million was released, bringing the cumulative total of ER 1-94 releases to PhP 4.39 billion.
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