HERE’S ONE good news. Congress will soon transmit for the signature of President Duterte the reconciled Senate and House versions of a bill on energy conservation. The Bicameral Conference Committee successfully harmonized the disagreeing provisions of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill. The bill promotes judicious conservation and efficient utilization of energy resources by the government, and at the same time, minimizing negative environmental impact.
This is a milestone legislation, and 30 years in the making. Among the countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is the only one without an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Legislation. The reconciled bill lays down legal mandates for implementing the 2017-2040 National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Roadmap. It will be the basis of new technologies in energy conservation and environmental protection. Some precursor measures by industry and the executive department’s agencies have been in place and can be expanded as soon as the implementing rules and regulations are issued.
The earliest the bill could be signed is in the month of February, before the start of the summertime peak energy consumption season from March to May.
It is hoped what with an “enercon” (energy conservation) law, energy savings appliances, residences and establishments and practices would become widespread.
The enercon roadmap forecasts energy demand rising by 80 percent from 2017 to 2040 at an annual rate of 3.5 percent and while that happens. Experts say a three percent reduction in energy intensity across key economic sectors will already cushion adverse energy impacts on the environment and household finances. That is what the roadmap seeks to achieve.
