The Department of Energy (DOE) ends the year 2023 on a high note after obtaining International Standard Organization (ISO) ISO 50001:2018 or the Certification for Energy Management System (EnMS), becoming the first and only department-wide government agency in the country to receive such an award.
 
ISO 50001:2018 is an international energy management system standard that provides organizations of any size with a tool to optimize energy performance and promote more efficient energy management systematically. The audit for the ISO Certification was conducted by DQS Certification Philippines, Inc. from 18 and 21 to 22 December 2023.
 
Following ISO 50001 international standard guidelines, the DOE has systematically established and implemented processes to reduce energy consumption. In January of this year, the DOE organized an Energy Management Team (EMT) to boost its implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures and institutionalize the same. The EMT was further strengthened with the issuance of a Department Order (DO) No. DO2023-11-0025 for the successful certification under ISO 50001.
 
Among its energy efficiency and conservation measures, the DOE adopted a flexible work arrangement (FWH) to reduce energy consumption, where it has recorded 14.83 percent electricity savings from its Friday work-from-home scheme. From the implementation period in February 2023 to date, a significant reduction in electricity consumption of 213.02 megawatt-hour (MWh) or an estimated savings of PhP2.5 million was realized. This is even highlighted with the adoption of a default temperature setting of the air-conditioning units in every unit and office of the Department at 24 degrees Celsius during the four-day in-person work week.
 
The regular conduct of energy audits and spot checks also increased the awareness of its employees, which encouraged them to adopt energy efficiency and conservation consistently.
 
The DOE has likewise accelerated the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), where the Department is also part, has reached a cumulative electricity savings of PhP286.7 million or an equivalent of 28,667.58 MWh as of 28 December 2023.
 
The GEMP implementation is guided by the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC) created by Republic Act (RA) No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. It aims to reduce the whole government’s electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10% through energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) strategies.
 
Among the implemented EEC measures are the retrofitting of air-conditioning units and lighting systems to inverter and LED-type units, deployment of electric vehicles, and regular monitoring and documentation of energy consumptions.
 
“I am pleased with the DOE’s successful implementation of its energy efficiency and conservation measures, highlighting the collective efforts and innovative mindsets of the whole DOE. As the lead implementing agency of Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, we are committed to continually improving our energy performance and being an example for both the public and private sector,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said. ###