President Marcos Jr. directed all government agencies to undertake all efforts to ensure the efficient use of energy, accelerate the implementation of the government energy management program (GEMP) even while conserving electricity and fuel to mitigate power demand amidst the ongoing El Niño.
The President, through Administrative Order No. 15, signed on January 16, also directed government-owned or -controlled corporations and encouraged local government units to undertake efforts to ensure efficient and judicious use of energy.
The AO noted the compelling need for the government to undertake a comprehensive program to promote judicious use of energy resources through intensified conservation efforts and efficient utilization thereof in order to mitigate the ill effects of excessive use of energy on the environment, to intensify efficient utilization and conservation efforts of electricity and fuel to mitigate power demand amidst the ongoing El Niño phenomenon; and to institutionalizes the GEMP to be carried out by all government agencies, including all LGUs, under the strategic direction of the Inter-Agency EEC Committee (IAEECC).
“For this purpose, all concerned government agencies shall accelerate the implementation of GEMP and relevant IAEECC Resolutions,” it added.
The GEMP is a government-wide program created to reduce the government’s monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products through efficient use and conservation of energy and fuel.
It includes conducting energy audits by Certified Energy Auditors and cooperating in random energy spot-checks; submitting an inventory of existing energy consuming equipment such as lighting, vehicles and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) among others; ensuring compliance with the Department of Energy Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings, and the Philippine Green Building Code for new building construction.
Other measures include maintaining an ambient temperature of 24C in air conditioned spaces; turning off unused lights and air-conditioning units; and activating sleep settings on office equipment.
An emergency efficiency and conservation (EEC) committee shall also be institutionalized in each office in each office and an EEC officers shall be tapped to monitor and report about energy consumption, and prepare the conservation measures, among others.
