TAGUIG CITY – As part of boosting energy efficiency and conservation as a national way of life, the Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the European Union-supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU - ASEP), the ASEP-Clean Energy Living Laboratories (ASEP-CELLs), and the Asian Development Bank, concluded its event of Financing Modalities and Tools to Advance Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Local Planning and Development Forum with the Luzon leg held from 15 to 16 July 2021.
A pre-forum session was held on 13 July, with more than 160 local government unit (LGU) representatives attending. The online session aimed to improve the participants’ knowledge on the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), reinforce compliance to the requirements of the EEC Act, and explain the reportorial requirements. The GEMP brochure, a collaborative effort of the DOE, EU-supported ASEP-CELLs, and ICLEI SEAS, was also introduced during the pre-forum. This brochure is meant to be an easy-to-follow guide for the LGUs in implementing the GEMP and how to accomplish related reports.
Like the recently concluded Vis-Min Forum, the Luzon Forum recognized the vital role of the LGUs in the implementation of the GEMP. Gathering over 330 LGU participants across Luzon, the two-day event discussed financing modalities from government financing institutions and other organizations to fund energy efficiency projects and how LGUs can access these platforms.
“The LGU’s active role, involvement, and participation will propel the country’s quest to achieve energy security and independence amidst the many challenges affecting the local and global energy market,” DOE Luzon Field Office Director Renante M. Sevilla said in his welcome remarks.
Keynote speaker DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas recognized the challenges the LGUs face during these trying times and offered assurance of support from the DOE and its partners.
“As for the DOE, we are forging on developing policies and initiatives to help reduce electricity costs through efficiency and conservation programs, and progress towards economic recovery amidst this pandemic. This forum is timely as LGUs are encouraged to incorporate sustainable economic recovery measures and to contribute to the GEMP through more judicious use of energy,” Usec. Posadas stated.
“The DOE recognizes the mutual benefits of external partnerships as we are committed to inclusivity and to filling in the gaps through knowledge and capacity building,” EUMB Director Patrick T. Aquino emphasized.
Meanwhile, EU Programme Manager Willy Hick said in his opening remarks that, “The challenge to the energy sector is how to contribute to the collective efforts to ‘Build Back Better’ in response to this pandemic. We all need to transition to a new normal that makes use of our finite energy resources in the most efficient and effective way and reinforcing the multiple co-benefits of energy efficiency.”
To further reinforce this for key building stakeholders from government, professional associations, and academe, the Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings, 2020 Edition was launched for Luzon. The Handbook aims to encourage and promote the energy-conserving design of buildings and their services with due regard to cost-effectiveness, building function, and the comfort, health, safety, and productivity of occupants. ASEP has printed limited copies of the Guidelines, which can also be downloaded from the DOE website http://bit.ly/DOEGuidelinesECdesignofBuidlings2020 while the eBook version is also available thru DOE-EUMB.
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