Marcos to government agencies: Accelerate energy management program implementation

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has directed all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to accelerate the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) to ensure the efficient and judicious use of electricity amid the ongoing El Niño.

The GEMP is a government-wide program that aims to reduce the government’s monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products through the efficient use and conservation of power and fuel.

“There is a need to intensify the efficient utilization and conservation efforts of electricity and fuel to mitigate power demand amid the ongoing El Niño phenomenon,” Marcos’ Administrative Order 15, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 16, stated.

“All concerned government agencies shall accelerate the implementation of the GEMP and relevant IAEECC Resolutions,” it added, referring to the Inter-Agency Energy and Efficiency Conservation Committee.

All local government units are also encouraged to undertake efforts to ensure the efficient utilization of energy.

Under Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, the public sector shall implement the GEMP.

AO 15 will be carried out by conducting energy audits from certified energy auditors and cooperating with random energy spot-checks, submitting an inventory of existing energy consuming equipment, ensuring compliance with the Department of Energy’s Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings and the Philippine Green Building Code for new building construction.

It also orders agencies to adopt low-cost energy efficiency and conservation measures consistent with the GEMP and institutionalizing the EEC in their respective offices.

Government agencies are also directed to establish a mechanism for monitoring the energy consumption in their respective offices.

In its latest advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a strong El Niño, which is characterized by below-normal rainfall, may persist until next month.

“Majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until the March-April-May 2024 season with a transition to ENSO-neutral in the April-May-June 2024 season,” PAGASA said.

ENSO or El Niño Southern Oscillation means no La Niña or El Niño is prevailing.