Malacañang complex to lead pilot test for energy efficiency

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) in spearheading the pilot test of an energy-efficiency initiative for five buildings in the Malacañang compound.

The buildings targeted for the government’s so-called greening project are Malacañang Palace, DBM Building II, Mabini Hall, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) building and the New Executive Building (NEB).

“As outlined in the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People, the government must pursue all measures to ensure the sustainable use of energy and resources and mitigate the effects of climate change. Malacañang’s move toward energy-efficiency will contribute to these efforts, as well as help the administration gain savings that can later be used to fund priority projects,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement.

Under the agreement, the DOE will provide technical consultancy assistance on energy management, while BPI will extend credit assistance to energy service companies that have existing energy efficiency performance contracts with government agencies.

For its part, the bank will also assist in the preliminary audit of five government offices to determine if these offices comply with the program.

Abad noted that in a preliminary walkthrough audit previously conducted this year, the new DBM building in Manila successfully met current standards for energy efficiency.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the preliminary audit, and we believe that the conversion of DBM offices into energy-efficient centers will encourage other government agencies to follow suit. Combating climate change and finding sustainable ways to manage our resources will require the commitment not just of a few cherry-picked parties, but also of all individuals and organizations,” Abad said.