The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Energy Utilization and Management Bureau (EUMB) and Visayas Field Office, has launched its first province-wide workshop on the formulation of Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECP).
The initiative equipped 80 energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) officers, EEC focal persons, and technical personnel from 43 local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo with the necessary knowledge and tools to develop strategic LEECPs aligned with the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).
The workshop achieved a 100% completion rate, ensuring that each LGU produced a comprehensive draft LEECP tailored to enhance energy efficiency and conservation within their respective communities.
Compliance with Energy Efficiency Law
Under Republic Act No. 11285, also known as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, all government entities must implement GEMP, a nationwide initiative aimed at optimizing energy consumption in the public sector. The program mandates a minimum 10% reduction in electricity and fuel use, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainability. Each government entity is required to develop structured energy efficiency programs with measurable targets and strategies aligned with national energy security and sustainability goals.
The LEECP provides a strategic framework for LGUs to institutionalize EEC measures. It establishes governance structures, policies, and programs that enable LGUs to implement sustainable energy initiatives effectively. The plan also includes mechanisms for continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement to ensure the long-term effectiveness of EEC measures. Each LGU is expected to finalize its LEECP and obtain approval from its local chief executive by March 31, 2025.
Leadership in Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation
“The success of this pioneering workshop marks a significant step toward empowering our LGUs with the knowledge and tools to drive EEC.
Through the LEECP, we are fostering a culture of sustainability, ensuring that every community contributes to the government’s overall government energy management program,” said Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.
Iloilo has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable energy through compliance with GEMP and the enactment of its Renewable Energy Ordinance (I-PORE) in 2022.
As the first LGU in the country to pass a resolution on renewable energy, Iloilo has mandated the development of renewable energy infrastructure, encouraged barangays and municipalities to identify potential renewable energy investment sites, and provided incentives under the provincial investment code.
To fund these efforts, the province initially allocated 0.5% of its budget for renewable energy, with plans to increase this to 1% next year.
Through these initiatives, Iloilo has successfully implemented various EEC projects, including:
- Installation of solar PV systems in six district hospitals, resulting in substantial energy savings.
- Deployment of solar streetlights in barangays, improving public lighting while reducing electricity costs.
- Development of a solar-powered desalination project to ensure access to potable water for communities.
Iloilo is also the pioneer awardee of the DOE’s Sustainable Energy Awards in the LGU category, held in December 2025.
