DENR posts 100% score in energy audit

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has posted a 100 percent rating, the highest score and performance grade, on the Department of Energy (DOE)’s audit results for the mandatory implementation of its “energy efficiency conservation program” for national government agencies.

According to DENR acting Secretary Jim Sampulna, this achievement proves that the agency “continues to walk the talk in keeping up with the mandate of the department to mobilize our citizenry in protecting, conserving, and managing the environment and natural resources for the present and future generations.”

“Electricity consumption is one of the means by which the people can save electricity and reduce carbon footprint. It is, therefore, essential to show that the DENR has achieved this milestone to inspire Filipinos in doing the same,” Sampulna said.

He said the DOE program is in line with a “collective strategy, which includes energy conservation to ensure sufficient supply of petroleum products amid the uncertainty brought about by the Russian-Ukraine conflict.”

Based on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation checklist, the DENR, particularly its central office, met all the criteria, namely institutionalization of EEC, fuel-saving measures and electricity-saving measures in the DOE’s random spot checks.

DENR administrative service director Rolando Castro said the central office’s energy conservation measures can be traced to its International Organization for Standardization or ISO re-certification on March 2 for ISO 14001:2015 or Environment Management System.

“Activities that contributed to achieving these criteria include turning off lights and computers during lunch breaks or when employees are not using them, switching off air conditioning units from 4 p.m. onwards, among others. These were already being practiced by the DENR employees prior to the DOE’s instruction,” Castro said.