The Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) is calling for more aggressive implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures as a way to shield the country from global price shocks.

PE2 President Alexander Ablaza, in a statement, said that energy efficiency should be treated as the “first fuel” in protecting the country from the recent fuel price hikes brought on by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“Energy efficiency and energy conservation are not just climate and decarbonization strategies and indigenous virtual resources – they should be deployed as first-line defenses against geopolitical energy shocks,” Ablaza said.

He pointed out how countries that rely heavily on imported fuel, like the Philippines, are particularly vulnerable to global market volatility.

“For the Philippines, where imported oil drives both transport and electricity costs, efficiency measures can soften the blow of Middle East conflicts, stabilize the economy, and protect households from sudden price surges,” Ablaza explained.

According to Ablaza, energy efficiency investments can help reduce the climbing pressure on the country’s energy system by lowering energy consumption- and thus overall fuel and electricity demand.

By reducing demand, the country can then ease strain on energy infrastructure, mitigate disruptions in global supply chains, and help dampen increases in fuel and electricity prices.

The government has already begun pushing energy conservation through the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which requires government agencies to reduce energy consumption by at least 10% and maintain air-conditioning thermostat settings at a minimum of 24 degrees Celsius.

The call for stronger energy efficiency measures comes at a time when the government is actively trying to reduce electricity and fuel consumption amidst rising energy costs.

Recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had ordered a 4-day work week for select government branches and also directed agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 10% as ways to temper the rising pressure on the energy sector due to global tensions.

Private sector groups are also called to explore more ways to strengthen energy efficiency adoption.

In a recent meeting with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), PE2 emphasized the need to broaden awareness and enforcement of Republic Act 11285, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

The alliance also highlighted opportunities for businesses to accelerate energy efficiency upgrades through the energy service company (ESCO) performance contracting model, particularly for large space cooling systems.

PE2 also encouraged households, micro, small and medium enterprises, and larger businesses to adopt a culture of monitoring and managing energy consumption.

Ablaza said scaling up energy efficiency investments could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen long-term energy resilience.

Can energy efficiency become the Philippines’ most effective shield against global fuel price shocks?

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