Peza to Ecozone locators: ‘Invest in energy saving measures’

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has encouraged locators in economic zones to invest in energy efficiency measures to save and cut power costs.

Speaking during the Energy Smart 2015 summit in Cebu City Tuesday, PEZA Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga said that energy management is no longer an option but a vital part of every ecozone locator's business operations in response to the rising energy and environmental challenges.

Panga said the PEZA Energy Savings Progam (PESP) with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines aims to raise interest on energy efficiency as a source of competitive advantage in the market.

"Increase the implementation and promote among PEZA ecozone locators the proactive energy savings, conservation, power cost reduction and energy-related revenue generation measures," Panga said of the program's goal.

In 2013, PEZA and ECCP signed an agreement for the program.

The official said PEZA also recognizes PEZA locators that will implement energy efficiency programs.

The program is said to have reduced at least 20-30% of energy costs of firms investing in energy conservation.

The PESP, which covers manufacturing and information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms locating in ecozones, involves the conduct of energy audits and reduction in power consumption to raise energy efficiency investments.

According to Panga, PEZA approved Board Resolution 15-239 dated May 13, 2015, granting ecozone locators a duty-free importation of energy efficient equipment or products specifically solar and LED lighting system.

The resolution also allows the sale of ecozone manufactured solar panel and LED lighting system to other ecozone locators. 

Panga said that among the eligible energy efficiency projects and activities include: the manufacture of exported energy saving products; renewable energy generation facilities; developers of energy efficient buildings; and ecozone retail electricity suppliers.

Panga explained the push for energy conservation in ecozones aims to attract more companies to invest in the country.

As of July 2015, there are a total of 330 PEZA operating zones in the Philippines including 69 manufacturing ecozones, 219 IT-BPO parks or centers, 19 tourism ecozones, 2 medical tourism parks and 21 agro-industrial ecozones. — Carlo S. Lorenciana (FREEMAN)