Quezon City appoints energy conservation officers

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has designated energy conservation officers (ECOs) tasked to promote electricity and fuel consumption.

Mayor Joy Belmonte recently issued an executive order assigning the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, Planning and Development Division as well as the General Services Department as ECOs.

Belmonte said the directive was in compliance with Republic Act 11285, otherwise known as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, and in support of the local government’s goal of achieving its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan.

“Aside from RA 11285’s goal of enabling local government units to reduce monthly electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent, the formation of the ECOs can help us realize our target of lessening greenhouse gas emissions as laid out in the city’s Climate Change Action Plan,” she said.

In addition to compliance with the law, ECOs were also tasked to lead the preparation, implementation, updating and monitoring of the city’s Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan.

They were also ordered to issue guidelines on energy and fuel conservation as well as organize meetings, workshops and seminars regarding the implementation and promotion of energy conservation measures.

“The ECOs are also tasked to develop a system for consolidation of required data and implementation to ensure timely preparation and submission of accomplished monthly electricity and fuel consumption reports as well as other reportorial documents,” Belmonte said.

The executive order also mandated the creation of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Technical Working Group (TWG) to assist the ECOs in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.

It will also provide the necessary data and information in compliance with relevant laws on energy efficiency and conservation.

Aside from the three local offices designated as ECOs, the TWG will also be composed of the Office of the City Administrator, Department of the Building Official, City Architect Department, City Engineering Department and Task Force Streetlights.