Protect Electricity Consumers From Service Disconnection

AKO BICOL PARTY-LIST
REP. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, JR.
Vice-Chair, Committee on Justice
09177292437 | Twitter @AlfredoGarbin

ERC ASKED TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT SUFFERING OF HOUSEHOLDS, BUSINESSES

I commend the ERC for its swift action on our appeal to protect electricity consumers from service disconnection although the ERC order covers only households consuming not more than 200 kilowatt-hours per month and is only up to December 31 this year.

I asked for no disconnection coverage up to January 31, 2021 for all households and small businesses.

ERC can take a second look at the situation on the ground. Electricity bills are aggravating the suffering of families and enterprises. They must be allowed recover so our country can recover.

I ask ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera and her Commissioners to consider this alternative: For those with better financial means or over 200 kwh per month electricity consumption, staggered payments across four months and suspended disconnection while during the installment payment period.

For areas devastated by typhoons, electricity consumers must not suffer service disconnection.

Water utilities firms nationwide should also be compassionate to their customers. (END)

Pope Francis Promotes Demonic Same-Sex Marriage

REP. JOCELYN P. TULFO
ACT-CIS Party-list
Member, Committee on Social Services
https://www.facebook.com/jocelyntulfoinaction/ | 09177292437

PAGHIHIMAY NG MGA ISYUNG SANGKOT SA PAHAYAG NI POPE FRANCIS PABOR SA CIVIL UNIONS PARA SA HOMOSEXUALS O LGBTQ+

Malinaw sa sinabi ni Pope Francis na mga batas ng mga gobyerno para sa same-sex civil unions ang pabor siya para sa mga homosexuals o LGBTQ+. Hindi niya tinuran ang mga kasal sa simbahan. Hindi niya nabanggit ang canon law o ecclesiastical law ng Simbahang Katoliko.

Pero mayroon pa ring bigat ang mga salita ni Pope Francis dahil siya ang lider ng isang bilyong Katoliko sa buong mundo at 80 to 90 million niyan ay mga Pilipino. May bigat ang sinabi ni Pope Francis kahit  na hindi ito sa porma ng isang batas ng Simbahang Katoliko.

Sinabi ni Pope Francis ang kanyang pananaw sa isang interview para sa isang video documentary. Hindi niya sinabi ang kanyang posisyon pabor sa homosexuals sa pamamagitan ng isang Papal Encyclical o sa isang Apostolic  Constitution o Papal Decree. Samakatuwid, hindi opisyal na posisyon o batas ng Simbahang Katoliko ang pahayag sa isang interview para sa isang documentary. 

Opisyal na dokumento at opisyal na batas, posisyon, turo, at doktrina ng Simbahang Katoliko kapag Apostolic Constitution o Papal Decree. 

Ang Papal Encyclical ay isang pastoral letter ng Santo Papa sa mga Katoliko sa buong mundo, pero hindi batas ng simbahan ang nakapaloob sa isang Papal Encyclical. 

MGA BATAS AT PANUKALANG BATAS

Dumako naman tayo dito sa Pilipinas.

Sa ating mga umiiral na batas, ang kasal o marriage o matrimony ay sa pagitan lamang ng isang babae at isang lalaki, dalawang tao na nasa hustong edad. Ang kasarian na nakasaad sa batas ay iyong nakasaad sa birth certificate. 

Kaya naman kung halimbawa, ang isang bading o beki ay ikakasal sa isang lesbian o tomboy, pasado iyan sa ating batas, ang Family Code of the Philippines, dahil ang reference o pamantayan ay ang kasarian ng dalawang ikakasal ayon sa nakasaad sa kanilang birth certificate.

Noong wala pang Family Code, ang batas tungkol sa kasal ay nakasaad sa Civil Code at sa Civil Code noon sinasabi lang na may karapatang makasal ang lalaki at ang babae. Hindi sinabi noon na sa pagitan lamang ng isang babae at isang lalaki ang kasal. Bagamat ang batas noong nabanggit ang husband at wife, hindi naman nasabi o ipinagbawal na ang kasarian nung wife ay lalaki o ang kasarian ng husband ay babae dahil walang gender identity issues noon sa Civil Code. 

Apat na uri ng pagsasama at kontrata ang isyu ngayon: Marriage, Civil Union, Civil Partnership, at Partnership. Pinakamataas ang marriage o kasal. Sunod diyan ang civil union. Sunod naman ang civil partnership. Pinakamababa ang simpleng Partnership.

Mayroon nang umiiral na batas para sa marriage (Family Code) at partnership (Law on Obligations and Contracts ng Civil Code of the Philippines. Panukalang batas pa lang ang civil partnership. Sa House of Representatives, mayroong dalawang bill ukol sa civil partnership at dati mayroong bill sa same-sex property relations. Sa Senado, mayroong bill tungkol sa property relations ng same-sex partners, pero walang bill tungkol sa civil union o civil partnership, o marriage para sa same-sex partners.

COMPARISON TABLE (SEE ATTACHED FILE)

SIMPLENG PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT

Ayon sa Kodigo Sibil o Civil Code of the Philippines, kahit sinong tao ay maaaring pumasok sa isang kontrata basta hindi ito labag sa batas, public policy, public safety, public health, at public morals. Partnership ang tawag sa ganito sa batas, sa Civil Code. Partnership na katulad ng pang-negosyo.

Halimbawa, kung ang dalawang lalaki o dalawang babae o dalawang LGBT ay magpirmahan ng kontrata na nakasaad ang kanilang kasunduan na may gagawing serbisyo, trabaho, o produkto, ito ay maaari pero limitado sa batas ukol sa Obligations and Contracts ang saklaw ng kontrata.

Maaari silang bumili ng bahay at lupa o condominium units at nakapangalan sa kanila bilang joint owners ang binili nilang bahay. Maaari silang magtayo ng isang negosyo at nakasulat sa kontrata ang hatian ng kita at bayarin maaari silang may kasunduan sa pagbabayad ng mga gastusin sa bahay. Sa mata ng batas, sila ay co-owners.

Pero sa isang kontratang katulad ng para sa business partners o co-owners, hindi kasama ang mga bagay tulad ng adoption na silang dalawa ang magiging legal adoptive parent kasi isa lang sa kanila ang ituturing na adoptive parent kung mag-ampon sila habang hindi adoptive parent iyong isa.

Hindi rin kasama ang end-of-life and medical emergency decisions sa kontratang ganyan kasi nakareserba pa iyan sa ngayon sa pagitan ng mag-asawang kasal o spouses o common law husband and wife.

Para sa mga pabor sa civil union, gusto nila na bigyan sila ng karapatan sa batas para sa medical emergency consent at end-of-life decisions, at karapatang mag-ampon na silang dalawa ang ituturing na legal adoptive parents.

Gusto rin sana ng LGBTQ+ na nagsasama na kasama sila sa inheritance o mana pero hindi sila kasama sa listahan ng compulsory heirs dahil nga hindi sila itinuturing na mag-asawa 

Ang tinatawag na conjugal partnership ayon sa Family Code ay para lamang sa babae at lalaking kasal o spouses. Nakapaloob sa conjugal partnership ang ari-arian at income ng mag-asawa mula sa panahong sila ay kasal. Nakasaad naman sa Civil Code at Tax Code at mga kaugnay na batas ang hatian ng mana at mga bayaring buwis. 

Maaari lang magkaroon ng bahagi o share ang isang kinakasamang LGBTQ+ sa properties ng kanyang partner kung mailipat sa kanya nang legal ang titulo ng propriedad sa pamamagitan ng sale or donation. (END)

Sec. Cusi Reminds the Energy Sector to Prepare for TD Pepito

DOE Sec. Cusi Reminds the Energy Sector to Prepare for TD Pepito

TAGUIG CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi is reminding the entire energy family to prepare for Tropical Depression (TD) Pepito, which may intensify into a Tropical Storm before making landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area or the Aurora-Northern Quezon area tomorrow evening (20 October) or early Wednesday morning (21 October). 

The Energy Secretary emphasized the importance of strengthening the energy sector's disaster risk preparedness and response capabilities, especially since the country is visited by an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year. 

The DOE-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) had already begun to monitor and alert its members and stakeholders. 

Energy facilities situated along the path of TD Pepito were reminded to activate their respective action/contingency plans, while taking into consideration the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Secretary Cusi likewise reminded all power assets, specifically those located within the projected track of the TD to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the concerned government agencies and local government units.  

With regard to the downstream oil sector, the Energy chief asked oil companies to secure the prescribed fuel inventory levels, and protect consumers against delays in the delivery of energy services, most especially in areas heavily dependent on gasoline and diesel for their daily activities.

Secretary Cusi would like to remind the public to immediately report any incidents concerning power supply facilities, and to practice the following E-Safety tips:

•Charge flashlights and mobile phones

•Be informed on the latest news updates

•Switch-off circuit breakers and other electrical systems to avoid electrocution, among other electrical mishaps

•After the typhoon, check electrical systems prior to using to avoid short circuits

"With the current pandemic, we must do all we can to prevent another disaster from happening. We could do this by remaining vigilant in our preparedness efforts. For the energy sector, this entails securing our energy facilities so they remain operational before, during, and even after the storm," Secretary Cusi concluded. 

#DOEPH 🇵🇭 

#EPowerMo 

#ESafety 

#ESecure 

#EDiskarte 

#Ambisyon2040

Aboitiz represents the Philippines in APEC food security meeting

Aboitiz represents the Philippines in APEC food security meeting

Initiative mirrors Aboitiz Group's active involvement in national and regional food security

Tristan R. Aboitiz, President of Aboitiz food business unit Pilmico Foods Corporation, was one of three Philippine representatives tasked to represent the country's interests and concerns at the recent 16th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Policy Partnership on Food Security (APEC PPFS) Meeting.

Aboitiz joined 19 other PPFS representatives last October 15, 2020 in the virtual meeting, which carried the theme "Optimising Human Potential Toward A Resilient Future Of Shared Prosperity."

"Food security remains to be an urgent priority of the region's economies, especially during the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic. Pilmico is a major part of the Philippine and regional food industry, being at the beginning of the food value chain, and we are honored to join this meeting to signify the Aboitiz Group's contribution to helping ensure food security, not just in the Philippines, but in the region as a whole," Aboitiz said.

Pilmico, previously solely a national player, completed its entry into the regional food and agribusiness sector with Pilmico International's acquisition of a 100% stake in food firm Gold Coin in May 2019. 

The APEC PPFS meeting's agenda included COVID-19 and Food Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific, Review of the Food Security Roadmap and Ministerial Statement on Food Security, and Reports by Food Security-Related Working Groups and Fora.

The APEC PPFS was established in 2011 to strengthen public-private cooperation to address food security issues in the region.

The ministers of APEC economies responsible for agriculture and food met for the first time in Niigata, Japan, in 2010 and issued the Niigata Declaration on APEC Food Security—the first comprehensive APEC plan for promoting regional food security.

Subsequent APEC ministerial meetings on food security were held biennially in Kazan, Russia (2012), Beijing, China (2014), and Piura, Peru (2016), which led to the Kazan Declaration, the Beijing Declaration, and the Piura Declaration which outline APEC's new plans for tackling food security.

PPFS members are expected to contribute input to policies on ensuring food security for APEC economies, as well as on any pressing problems within countries or regions that would require collaboration between organizations.

Pilmico is a strong proponent of food security. Last August 13, Pilmico signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to provide livelihood and technical support services to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). 

Dubbed "The PaSSOver: ARBOld Move for Deliverance of our Farmers from the COVID-19 Pandemic," the DAR-funded initiative will enable 1,200 women ARBs to engage in livelihood activities in the agribusiness sector. Beneficiaries will be given starter kits for bakery training, egg layering and poultry or broiler production, hog fattening, and other similar livestock rearing businesses. 

 

Aside from assistance to ARBs, Pilmico also donated a total of 655,000 pieces of bread to poor communities nationwide as daily sustenance from March to June 2020, some of the most critical periods of the extended community quarantine. 

 

Currently, Pilmico's main commitment to Asia's food security is remaining fully operational amid the pandemic. Its plants, farms, and meat facilities continue to operate business as usual. It consistently implements strict biosecurity measures to ensure everyone's safety and echoes the Philippine government's assertion on sufficient food supply amid restrictions and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. - (Press Release)

Fugitive Murder Suspect in Kidapawan Radioman Killing joins ranks of Communist Terrorist Group

Press Release from Presidential Task Force on Media Killings:

PTFoMS Update: 16 October 2020

Fugitive Murder Suspect in Kidapawan Radioman Killing joins ranks of Communist Terrorist Group

In a desperate attempt to evade justice for the killing of Brigada News FM – Kidapawan station manager Eduardo Sanchez Dizon, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has confirmed that prime suspect Dante Encarnacion Tabusares a.k.a. Bong Encarnacion has cowered behind the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People's Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorist group by joining its ranks in Arakan, North Cotabato.

This was verified in an official report submitted to the PTFoMS by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through Captain Jonathan V Zata, Chief of the Public Affairs Office. 

Acting on the Palace Task Force's directive to know the whereabouts of the fugitive, the AFP reported that Tabusares has been broadcasting communist propaganda in his previous program over a local FM station.

"I commend the AFP for its continuing support to the Task Force's initiatives in protecting the life, liberty and security of all our media workers in the country." said PTFoMS Co-Chair and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. 

For his part, PTFoMS Exec. Dir. USec. Joel Sy Egco said, "Our suspicion has been confirmed. We received reports earlier this year that Encarnacion had joined the NPA as quickly as the warrant of arrest against him came out."

"The NPA today is nothing more than a coddler of criminals and fugitives from justice. Is this the kind of justice they are espousing? They are just a bunch of ruthless murderers. Tabusares may hide behind this communist terrorist group but we will make sure that he will not be able to evade the long arm of the law forever," the Palace official stressed.

It can be recalled that Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz of Kidapawan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 61 has ordered the arrest of Tabusares under Criminal Case no. 5281-2019 for the killing of Dizon, along with Junell Andagkit Poten and Sotelo Jacolbe, Jr. 

Dizon, a former town councilor of Makilala, North Cotabato, was a blocktime host of the local Brigada News when murdered last July 10, 2019. He was driving his car on his way home to Makilala at past 10 p.m., when motorcycle "riding-in-tandem" gunmen opened fire on him and killed him on the spot.

Tabusares allegedly masterminded the ambush of Dizon, who was critical of the KAPA Community Ministry International in his commentaries. Tabusares was the local coordinator of KAPA at the time.

It was the PTFoMS that led the relatives of Dizon to file criminal cases against Tabusares, Poten and Jacolbe. Tabusares, the blocktimer endorser of KAPA and coordinator for its money market operations in Kidapawan City, threatened to have Dizon killed on his radio show weeks before the incident.

The PTFoMS is on top of the situation and will be relentless in bringing justice for Dizon and all other media workers who are victims of violence as a testament to the government's commitment to protect press freedom. ###

Photo shows Tabusares holding the NPA flag. (contributed photo)

Bong Revilla Supports DOE Budget 2021

REVILLA SUPPORTS DOE BUDGET: Sen. Bong Revilla during the hybrid hearing of Finance Subcommittee E Tuesday, October 13, 2020, expresses support for the approval of the proposed P2.15 billion budget of the Department of Energy (DOE) for 2021. Revilla commended the department for keeping on track the implementation of the Philippine Energy Plan despite the pandemic. He said this is important "in attaining energy independence and power market reforms thus ensuring the goal of delivering secure, sustainable, sufficient, affordable and environment-friendly energy to all sectors." (Screengrab/ Senate PRIB)

Oil Unbundling Circular

DOE STATEMENT ON THE COURT OF APPEALS' RULING UPHOLDING THE TAGUIG RTC'S ISSUANCE OF A WRIT OF PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OIL UNBUNDLING CIRCULAR

Although the Court of Appeals' (CA) Decision on the matter was released through its website, the Department of Energy (DOE), through its counsel the Office of the Solicitor General, has yet to formally receive a copy of the Ruling. Once formally received, the DOE intends to seek a reconsideration of the Decision, and raise the issue to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

The DOE would like to emphasize that the CA ruled only on the issue of the validity of the trial court's issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction. 

While the writ has prevented the DOE from implementing Department Circular (DC) DC2019-05-0008 on the unbundling of oil prices during the course of the case in the trial court, the CA Decision did not rule on the validity or invalidity of the DC.

The DOE considers the Circular vital as it believes in the objective of the law for the transparency of oil prices, at least to the government, in order to formulate better and more responsive oil industry policies. The DOE issued the Circular to help strengthen the agency's capability to monitor oil prices more effectively.

Moreover, the cases filed by the oil companies to nullify DC2019-05-0008 were based on the wrong notion that the supposed trade secrets they are being obligated to submit to the DOE wiill be divulged to the public. Time and again, the DOE has been stressing that all confidential information shall be kept strictly confidential.

The DOE maintains that the unbundling of oil prices would foster greater market transparency by establishing the trends in the prices of oil and finished petroleum products. This, in turn, would help ensure a level playing field within the oil industry, while upholding the best interests of consumers.

ERC Calls for Comments on the Proposed New RCOA Timeline

PRESS STATEMENT: ERC Calls for Comments on the Proposed New RCOA Timeline

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in a Notice issued pertinent to ERC Case No. 2020-002 RM in re:  Draft Resolution Prescribing the New Timeline for the Implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), sought comments from all interested parties on the proposed Resolution until 12 October 2020.  The first draft of the proposed Resolution aims to provide guidance on the implementation of the RCOA scheme, more particularly the updated timeline for the full implementation thereof.

"We are requesting all interested parties to submit their comments or inputs on the Draft Resolution Prescribing the New Timeline for the Implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) to ensure that we leave no stone unturned and ensure the seamless implementation of the RCOA", said ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera. 

At present, RCOA is implemented in the Luzon and Visayas grids for the Phase I (1MW & up) and Phase II (750kW-999kW) contestable customers, on a voluntary basis.  The ERC's draft Resolution prescribes the time frames for the lowering of the threshold or the average monthly peak demand to cover end-users, as follows:  

                           Threshold                             Level Effectivity

Phase III              500 kW to 749 kW               Feb. 26, 2021

Phase IV              100 kW to 499 kW               Jan. 26, 2022

Phase V               10 kW to 99 kW                   Jan. 26, 2023

End-users who meets the threshold level shall be allowed to contract with any licensed/authorized suppliers of electricity on a voluntary basis.  

The RCOA shall be effective in grids where the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) is operational.  All suppliers of electricity shall be licensed or authorized by the ERC to supply in the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM).  

Under the RCOA environment, the qualified Contestable Customer will be notified by the Network Service Providers of the former's ability or option to choose his electric service provider and may switch to his preferred Retail Electricity Supplier (RES).  Meanwhile, the Meter Service Provider (MSP) shall install the meter facilities that will measure the energy use and demand of the qualified contestable customer.  The MSP is the person or entity authorized by the ERC to provide metering services in the CREM.

"The benefits of the RCOA scheme will soon come to fruition despite the temporary setback that came up against its implementation.  The envisioned competition in the retail level of the supply sector will soon be a reality and the consuming public will be the beneficiaries of the RCOA as they can opt to choose the electricity provider that offers the most competitive price", Chair Devanadera added.

DOE and Development Partners Hold EE&C Forum for Luzon LGUs

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

5 October 2020

DOE and Development Partners Hold EE&C Forum for Luzon LGUs 

TAGUIG CITY - As part of continuing efforts to ensure the full implementation of Republic Act 111285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2019 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the Department of Energy (DOE) and its development partners conducted the Luzon Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C) Virtual Forum for Local Development on 1-2 October 2020. The online forum was the fourth and final event in the series aimed to propel local energy efficiency initiatives and inclusive development in throughout the country.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on 12 April 2019, the EE&C Law and its IRR seek to secure the country's energy supply by making EE&C a national way of life.

In his keynote speech, DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas urged local government units (LGUs) and co-workers in the government to become models in the responsible use of energy in order to effectively champion EE&C. 

"Challenges persist, with COVID-19 being at the top of that list, but we must be committed towards a more sustainable and green future, not just for Luzon, but for the whole country," Usec. Posadas stressed.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III, who was also another keynote speaker, emphasized that "as public servants, we must maintain the balance of development and the preservation and conservation of our environment. The LGUs play a vital role in ensuring that provisions of the law are translated to local policies and appropriate strategies are implemented to ensure that energy efficiency and its benefits are felt throughout the country." 

He also underscored the importance of having a sound energy efficiency framework "in ensuring a sustainable energy future, where our quest for development and discovery for new technologies shall not compromise our environment."

Meanwhile, EU Programme Manager for Energy Ms. Ileana Miritescu, in her opening remarks, emphasized that "the challenge to the energy sector is how to contribute to the collective efforts to 'Build Back Better' in response to this pandemic." She added that everyone needs to "transition to a new normal that makes use of our finite energy resources in the most efficient and effective way and reinforcing the multiple co-benefits of energy efficiency".

Among the highlights of the Forum was a presentation on the salient features of the EE&C Act and its IRR, conducted by DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino. He was also on hand during the Q&A to address questions raised by participants on the development of local energy plans, the obligations of designated establishments, certifications, incentives, rating and labeling requirements, minimum energy performance, demand side management, as well as the challenges and prohibited acts under the law. 

On 30 September 2020, a pre-forum session to assist LGUs in completing the DOE's Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan template was co-organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, through its One Planet Cities Program. Atty. Gia Ibay, Head of Climate and Energy Programme and National Director of WWF-Philippines' Earth Hour, comprehensively explained how cities around the world are delivering their climate commitments through energy efficiency measures.

More than 250 local government executives, national government officials, financing institutions, private sector energy players and investors attended the Luzon EE&C Virtual Forum for Local Development, which was organized in partnership with the European Union-supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU-ASEP), the ASEP Clean Energy Living Laboratories, and the Asian Development Bank.

Congresswoman Hits GCash and E-Payment Charges

REP. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA                       
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Secretary-General, The Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc.
Deputy Majority Leader | Governor, Rotary Philippines RID3780
0917-729-2437 Twitter: @BHherrerady

RANKING SOLON SLAMS GCASH, PAYMAYA FOR NOT HOLDING OFF E-PAYMENTS CHARGES TO UNTIL DEC. 31, 2020

I object to the decision of GCash and PayMaya to start charging their customers fees for use of PESONet and InstaPay e-payments mechanisms starting October 31.

These companies should rethink their decisions. During this pandemic crisis, especially in the areas still under MECQ and GCQ, every peso counts.

The other financial institutions opted to waive e-payment charges until December 31 this year. They made the prudent and compassionate decision.

P50.00, the maximum charge per transaction, can buy one kilo of rice and ingredients for one vegetable meal or about seven eggs.

For the poor, who have been using e-payments for the first time during this pandemic, the fees would be yet another disincentive to use e-payments. They would go back to have little or no

access to financial services. They will go back to being unbanked.

It is not yet too late for GCash and PayMaya to change their minds. (END)

Virtual Forum to Boost Luzon LGU Implementation

Virtual Forum to Boost Luzon LGU Implementation of the PH EE&C Law

 

TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the European Union supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU-ASEP), ASEP-Clean Energy Living Laboratories, and the Asian Development Bank, will host the virtual Luzon Energy Efficiency and Conservation Forum for Local Development from 1 to 2 October 2020 via Microsoft Teams.

 

The online event would provide participants, particularly local government units in Luzon and energy stakeholders, an overview of the salient features of Republic Act No. 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Act of 2019 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on 12 April 2019, the EE&C Act aims to secure the country's energy supply by making EE&C a national way of life.

 

Other topics to be discussed during the two-day forum are local EE&C plan development, designated establishments, energy performance and labeling, certification for professional competency and accreditation for professional services, demand-side management, fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, and the updated Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings. 

 

DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas and Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Operations and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Officer Epimaco Densing III are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses, while DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino will be delivering a presentation on the EE&C Act of 2019, its IRR, and other related programs and policy issuances. 

 

With over 200 expected participants, the Forum is seen to be a major step that would help mainstream national EE&C policy for inclusive development in Luzon.