ILOILO – The province of Iloilo was recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) for its exemplary performance and pioneering initiatives in implementing the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).
Iloilo and Nueva Vizacaya were the only provinces that won the Energy Efficiency Excellence Award.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. personally received the award during the awarding ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Pasay City.
The governor was accompanied by Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Atty. Caesar Emmanuelle Buyco, Provincial Board member Rolando Distura, and EEC focal Rey Victor Garin of the Provincial Planning and Development Office.
GEMP is a government-wide program implemented under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (Republic Act 11285) to reduce consumption of electricity and petroleum products through electricity efficiency and conservation, and efficiency and conservation in fuel use of government vehicles, among others.
The Energy Efficiency Excellence Award is one of the most prestigious awards on a national scale.
It aims to promote the implementation of energy management systems and best practices on energy efficiency in all energy consuming establishments within the country, including government facilities.
Director Patrick T. Aquino of the DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau, through a letter addressed to Gov. Defensor, congratulated the Iloilo provincial government for its “exceptional initiatives and unwavering commitment in the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation”.
Guided by Department Order No. DO2021-09-0014 or the Guidelines on Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards, the Iloilo provincial government was subjected to a rigorous evaluation by the selection and awarding committees./PN
