Thirty-two organizations from both the public and private sectors were named winners of the 5th Energy Efficiency Excellence (EEE) Awards, with the Department of Energy (DOE) announcing the list on December 16.

The recognition highlights institutions and individuals whose energy-saving initiatives produced measurable results, as reflected in the combined 22.5 million kilowatt-hours equivalent in energy savings recorded by this year’s awardees. The DOE said these savings correspond to an estimated 17,596.59 metric tons of avoided carbon emissions.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the awards demonstrate how energy efficiency has become central to national development goals. “By celebrating these exemplary efforts, we are sending a clear message that energy efficiency is no longer a side initiative but a core pillar of national development,” she said.

The 2025 awards cycle drew 477 submissions, which were subjected to onsite and virtual validation processes. From these, 219 entries advanced for assessment across categories covering industries, buildings, government entities, practitioners, and special awards.

Following the review, the DOE selected 32 awardees, all ranging from industrial and commercial facilities to government offices, local government units, state universities, and individual energy efficiency practitioners. The agency said the awarded initiatives set performance benchmarks for implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures.

Among the awardees were major commercial property developers, mall operators, banks, manufacturing firms, and government institutions, including projects operated by the SM and Ayala groups as well as the Quezon City government, one of the country’s largest local government units.

The EEE Awards form part of the government’s broader push under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program, which seek to promote reduced energy consumption as a long-term strategy for energy security and sustainability.

Originally known as the Don Emilio Abello Awards, the EEE Awards trace their roots to the country’s energy conservation movement during the 1970s oil crisis, honoring the legacy of Don Emilio Abello as a pioneer of energy efficiency in the Philippines.

As energy demand continues to grow, how can the recognition of concrete energy-saving results encourage more institutions to prioritize efficiency as a long-term strategy?

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