DOE, EU-ASEP, and ADB Brief LGUs on EE&C Law Implementation

NOVEMBER 13, 2019

MANDALUYONG CITY - Local government officials and technical staff of local

government units (LGUs) based in Luzon were briefed on their respective roles in
implementing Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC)
Law.

The Department of Energy (DOE) led the briefing with the support of the European
Union (EU), through their Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), and the
support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during the “LGU Forum on Opportunities
for Energy Efficiency Projects” held at the ADB on 11 to 12 November 2019. 

“The energy family appreciates the continued support of our development partners as
we seek to firmly establish energy efficiency and conservation as a way of life here in
the Philippines. The success of the EEC Law’s implementation entails the active
participation of all our stakeholders, and this Forum would go a long way in educating
members of our local governments on how they could be agents of energy efficiency
and conservation change,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. 

At the Forum, members of the Inter-agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Committee discussed initial guidelines for developing local EEC plans, technology
options, green procurement and green buildings, investment incentives and financing
options, and mechanisms for public-private partnerships. Further, representatives from
the Cities of Mandaluyong, Santa Rosa, and Mandaue demonstrated their efforts on EE
initiatives.

Bert Hunter, Chief Investment Officer of the Connecticut Green Bank – a global leader
in energy efficiency financing, delivered the keynote address. 

On 12 November, participants visited the first Energy Efficiency Services and

Technologies Exhibition at the House of Representatives (HOR) where they were
welcomed by the HOR Committee on Energy led by Chairman Lord Allan Velasco.

The Law, signed in April 2019, seeks to secure the country’s energy supply by making
EEC a national way of life. LGUs will be mandated to develop and submit local EEC
plans and provide updates on their progress annually. The government will provide
incentives and special financing for their EE related projects. The implementing rules
and regulations (IRR) of the law are expected to be signed this month. Relevant
guidelines governing LGUs’ EEC plans and reporting will be developed by the DOE in
coordination with the Department of the Interiors and Local Government (DILG) soon
after.
Senior Energy Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas said that the DOE is
mandated to inform LGUs of recent policies and mechanisms governing their role and
participation in the national energy efficiency and conservation program.

“This LGU Forum is a good opportunity for the DOE to update participants about
government efforts to mainstream and integrate energy efficiency and conservation in
local development plans," stressed Senior Undersecretary Posadas.

Meanwhile, EU Head of Development Cooperation Enrico Strampelli said that LGUs are
prime movers in promoting energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects
across all energy consuming sectors in their respective areas. “We believe that energy
efficiency remains the most cost-effective way to ensure sustainable energy, accelerate
economic growth, and mitigate climate change in support of global climate actions,” he
said. 

ADB Energy Sector Group Chief Yongping Zhai said the forum was a key opportunity
for ADB to partner with local government officials to advance their respective energy
efficiency goals. 

“ADB has been a long-time partner of the Philippines, with contributions to milestone
energy sector restructuring and efforts toward financial reform of the power sector,
among many others,” Dr. Zhai said, "through its renewable energy and energy efficiency
programs completed from 2010 to 2015, ADB has contributed to a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of 173,789 tons of CO2e per year in the Philippines. ADB is
actively identifying further areas to support, especially in energy efficiency and multi-
sector investments.”