In keeping abreast with the changing energy landscape, the Department of Energy (DOE) ensures that the energy sector remains founded on two of the most important pillars – energy efficiency and transparency.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla (center), together with DOE Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson (4th from left), DTI Undersecretary Victorio Mario V. Dimagiba (back, 4th from right), MERALCO Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (5th from left), Assistant Secretary Daniel A. Ariaso, Sr. (back, 1st from left), MERALCO President Oscar S. Reyes (3rd from left), DOE-CWPO Division Chief Helen B. Arias (back, 1st from right), and the Members of the National Consumer Affairs Council led by NCAC Chair Jose P. Pepito (back, 3rd from right), leads the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Consumer Welfare Month at the Lighthouse, Meralco on 01 October 2014.

As this year’s host, the DOE highlights these two important components to commemorate the 2014 Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) under the banner theme —Sapat na Impormasyon: Susi sa Wastong Paggamit ng Enerhiya.

Recognizing the importance of good governance and transparency in the energy sector, the DOE, through the leadership of Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, has integrated these essential elements in its policies, plans and programs, through the establishment of consumer-centric websites, conduct of massive information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns, and formulation and enforcement of energy laws, regulations and policies towards the protection of consumer interests and welfare.

The new age of digital media

Arming the Filipino consumers with information to better understand the Philippine power sector, the DOE initiated a comprehensive energy data set and information through the creation of two very informative websites: The Kuryente website (www.kuryente.org.ph), which basically seeks to answer the typical question of Magkano ba ang kuryente mo?, and the WattMatters website that is designed to help consumers make informed decisions in the choice of efficient appliances to suit their energy demand requirements.

Arming the Filipino consumers with information to better understand the Philippine power sector, the DOE initiated a comprehensive energy data set and information through the creation of two very informative websites: The Kuryente website (www.kuryente.org.ph), which basically seeks to answer the typical question of Magkano ba ang kuryente mo?, and the WattMatters website that is designed to help consumers make informed decisions in the choice of efficient appliances to suit their energy demand requirements.

The Kuryente website enables users to search information on electricity prices in various areas in the Philippines. It also gives them a background profile of electric cooperatives and distribution utilities and an overview of the power industry as a whole.

Complementing the Kuryente website is the WattMatters website, which features a database of different home appliances to enable consumers to compare the energy efficiency of these products and obtain the best value for their money when purchasing appliances. Users can also estimate the electricity consumption of their appliances by simply clicking the “Consumption Calculator” in the menu, and at the same time learn valuable energy saving tips to reduce their bills.

For convenience, both websites are also available as Android mobile applications, “Kuryente App” for www.kuryente.org.ph, and “wattmatters” for www.wattmatters.org,ph.

Moreover, the DOE also adapts to new trends in disseminating information to engage the youth in more dynamic discourses about energy. This is evident with the use of social networking sites, such as: Facebook (www.facebook.com/doe.gov.ph), Twitter (https://twitter.com/doe_ph), and Instagram (http://instagram.com/doe_ph).

To further ensure transparency and sustainability in the energy sector, the DOE also provides microsites for awarded renewable energy service (RES) contracts and allows potential contractors joining the 5th Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR5) access to its official website (www.doe.gov.ph). The microsite caters to investors, and other energy stakeholders to keep track of the latest developments, requirements, fiscal policies and bidding procedures of the 5th licensure round. Ensuring information accessibility, it includes all necessary downloadable documents for the investors’ convenience. Recently, the DOE-Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB) showcased the various areas and blocks offered included in the PECR5 through international roadshows, including energy conferences in Singapore, Australia and Turkey.

The power of IECs in transforming consumers

Besides intensifying information dissemination through the use of digital technology, the DOE continuously conducts nationwide IEC campaigns to equip target participants with essential knowledge on energy-related matters. The DOE basically covers four major areas that have direct impact on consumers —power, oil/gas, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 includes a specific provision on education and protection of end-users to enable consumers to better understand the restructured power industry, the unbundling of electricity bills to various components, lifeline rates for marginalized/low-income captive market who cannot afford to pay their electricity bills at full cost, financial benefits to host communities of generation facilities and/or energy resource development facilities, choice of competitive electricity services, energy conservation and safety measures, among others.

Equally vital as the power sector is the downstream oil industry, in which IECs play a vital role in addressing petroleum demand/supply and pricing issues, and communicating them to the public. This includes a multi-sectoral IEC, which is done in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency through its communication’s network, discussing various topics on policies and regulations that apply to the said sector and the perennial oil pricing concerns of the public. The DOE also ties up with the Department of Science and Technology for holding hands-on training on calibration of dispensing pumps to LGUs, specifically the municipal treasurer, as they are the ones mandated by law to calibrate dispensing pumps which are allegedly found to be under-delivering.

In addition, the "Safe LPG campaigns (Ligtas na Paggamit ng LPG)" are also conducted up to the barangay level under the DOE’s Gender and Development (GAD) program, to educate consumers in buying and handling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The value of energy efficiency in using petroleum products particularly in driving and cooking, is also inculcated among target participants in the residential and institutional sectors.

IECs are not limited to traditional fuels but also biofuels (i.e., biodiesel and bioethanol), auto-LPG, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquid natural gas to provide alternative options for the consumers to consider for their transportation use. Electric-powered vehicles are also entering the market in various forms.

Large consumers, such as industries, commercial establishments, government institutions benefit much from the regular IECs on energy management and system optimization to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability in their day-to-day operations. The DOE in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines brought forth the so-called "Usapang Climate Change," in the academic sector to reduce risks and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change through implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures and programs.

Latest IEC campaign currently being rolled out in the Renewable Energy Sector involves the nascent RE scheme called Net Metering. The Net Metering program encourages utility customers to generate their own electricity using solar or other appropriate renewable energy technologies. The net meter then tracks the electricity produced by the system, actual consumption, and excess electricity thrown to the grid, if any. The series of IECs for the program are aimed at educating electric cooperatives, local government units, financial institutions, solar power developers, electric consumers and other energy stakeholders on how the Net Metering program works.

"Walking the Talk"

Behavior of consumers is not only influenced by bombarding them with information but also by putting value to such information through actual demonstration. For instance, DOE recently inaugurated the first solar-roof system in La Consolacion College, Manila under its Solar Rooftop Project, which involves installation of solar panels in participating academic institutions targeting a total of one megawatt capacity. The project involves a tripartite collaboration among the DOE, the academic institution and the solar system supplier. In the meantime, the groundwork for Manuel L. Quezon University’s solar roof system is being undertaken to further boost the promotion of RE.

Still on the DOE’s table is the innovatively designed Electric tricycle (E-trike) project. This Asian Development Bank-funded project has been crafted to reduce carbon emissions, to make every trip more profitable to E-trike drivers, and to provide an avenue for an alternative and energy efficient industry to thrive in the local market.

To protect consumers against any unscrupulous practice in the oil industry, the DOE recently unveiled six Mobile Testing Vans. These testing vans are testaments to the

DOE’s commitment to ensure that the quality of petroleum products sold in the market meets appropriate standards, and that gasoline stations selling adulterated petroleum products are immediately sanctioned to protect consumers.

These vans will also be used in parallel with the Focus Inspection (FI), which is an integrated approach used for testing the quality and quantity of petroleum products sold in the market, along with teaching LGUs and business establishments (i.e. gasoline stations) on the rules and regulations covering the downstream oil industry.

In support of research and development towards energy efficiency, the DOE in partnership with Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) also gives special attention to electric appliances through the Energy Labeling Program that introduces the "Yellow Label." Implemented since 1992 starting with air-conditioning units, the program currently tags commonly used electric-consuming products, such as lighting products (e.g. lamp ballast, compact fluorescent lamp, linear and circular fluorescent lamps), air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Reinforcing the testing and labeling program, the DOE has newly installed testing facilities to evaluate the efficiency television and washing machines, and has expanded the coverage of the energy labeling program to higher capacity air-conditioners and refrigerators.

These programs and projects imply the stronghold of the DOE towards consumer welfare and protection, while also underscoring its commitment to promote transparency and good governance across all sectors of the economy. The DOE likewise ensures that while energy consumers are protected, they shall also imbibe within themselves the idea and value of energy efficiency with the information given freely and accessibly to them. After all, a transparent government creates an informed public, and by then they are empowered to make intelligent choices to better their lives.