TOWARDS AN EEC CULTURE: Speakers and participants to the “LGU Forum on Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Projects” gather for a group photo after a fruitful two-day briefing on the role of local government units in the implementation of the Energy Efficiency (EEC) Law. The forum was held from 11 to 12 November 2019 at the Headquarters of the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong City.
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.”
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