The Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) has completed an energy audit of five city halls in Luzon in a bid to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency practices in the country.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña reported that the DOST-ITDI conducted a one-day energy assessment of city halls as part of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) under Republic Act No. 11285, which was signed into law by President Duterte in 2019.
He identified the cities of Malabon, Caloocan, Pasay, Biñan, and Parañaque as the five local government units (LGUs) that were assessed by the DOST-ITDI team.
“This energy assessment involves random checking of office energy-consuming equipment, measuring electricity consumption of the building, and interviewing the Energy Conservation Officer (ECO) regarding the LGUs policies on Energy Conservation and Efficiency,” he said during his weekly report on Friday, July 2.
“Through this assessment, it is expected that the team can provide a thorough review and analysis of the program to improve further the policies implemented and identify additional energy-saving opportunities for the LGUs,” he added.
De la Peña said the team is expected to assess 60 more LGUs. “As of June 23, 2021, the team has assessed five out of the sixty-five target LGUs.”
RA No. 11285 or “An Act Institutionalizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Enhancing the Efficient Use of Energy, and Granting Incentives to Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects” also mandates the DOST, in coordination with the DOE, to carry out strategic research and development programs aimed at facilitating the development of new and alternative energy efficient technologies.