Manila: Government agencies are now directed to use Energy-Consuming Products (ECPs) that comply with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Minimum Energy Performance for Products standards under the Philippine Energy Labeling Program. The DOE, in a press release on Thursday, said the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC) has adopted a resolution on the implementation of Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, the move supports the accelerated implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) pursuant to Administrative Order No. 15, s. 2024, which mandates all government offices to reduce energy consumption. “The government must lead by example,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who chairs the IAEECC. “By ensuring that all agencies procure only energy-efficient products certified under the DOE’s labeling and performance standards, we are promoting responsible energy use, saving public funds, and contributing to our country’s sustainability and climate goals.”

The DOE said the directive aims to ensure that government institutions adopt energy-efficient technologies that reduce electricity use, cut operating costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative directly supports the GEMP’s target of achieving at least a 10 percent reduction in energy consumption across all government facilities nationwide.

The department noted that it is working closely with the Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management to align government procurement processes and supply catalogs with the PELP standards. Beyond energy savings, this initiative also advances the government’s broader agenda of energy self-sufficiency, sustainability, and climate responsibility as outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. (Joann Villanueva/PNA)