The Department of Energy (DOE) is backing a new policy by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that mandates all Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement energy efficiency and conservation plans.
DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-047, released on May 14, outlines concrete steps for LGUs to comply with Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act. The directive requires LGUs to appoint dedicated EEC Officers, prepare Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECPs), and submit electricity and fuel consumption data through the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Online System.
The circular also encourages LGUs to adopt practical energy-saving measures, such as switching to LED lighting and inverter-type air-conditioning units in government buildings.
Under the circular, local chief executives are urged to make energy efficiency a formal part of their development priorities and promote responsible energy use throughout public facilities. This aligns with Administrative Order No. 15, which directs government agencies to accelerate implementation of the GEMP.
“This issuance empowers our LGUs to take a more active role in achieving our national energy efficiency goals, while reinforcing the vital link between sustainable development and accountable energy use,” said Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. He lauded DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla Jr. for advancing good governance through climate-responsive local policy.
The new directive builds on past DOE-DILG collaborations such as the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act and the development of the LGU Energy Code, both designed to simplify regulatory processes and promote clean energy adoption at the local level.
To support the policy rollout, the DOE recently conducted LEECP workshops for LGUs in the National Capital Region, Batanes, and Iloilo. Additional workshops were held in Agusan del Norte and Bulacan. All participating LGUs successfully completed draft LEECPs tailored to their local energy use profiles and infrastructure needs.
The LEECP serves as a strategic roadmap to institutionalize energy efficiency at the local level. It provides a framework for identifying opportunities, setting targets, and ensuring continuous monitoring and evaluation of energy-saving measures.
By mandating energy data submission and formal planning, the circular aims to embed energy efficiency into everyday governance. It also supports broader goals of improving operational efficiency, reducing energy costs, and enhancing climate resilience.
The DOE says this push from policy to practice is key to securing long-term energy stability while enabling LGUs to lead by example in implementing sustainability measures.
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