DOE, DILG Empower LGUs to Boost Energy Efficiency

The Department of Energy (DOE) lauded a new directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandating energy efficiency and conservation measures across all local government units (LGUs), calling it a significant step toward sustainable governance and energy security.

DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-047, released on May 14, 2025, outlines comprehensive guidelines for implementing Republic Act No. 11285, also known as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act, at the local level.

The directive aligns with Administrative Order No. 15, issued in 2024, which accelerates the rollout of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) to improve energy use in public institutions.

Under the Circular, LGUs must designate Energy Efficiency and Conservation Officers, craft Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECPs), and submit regular fuel and electricity consumption reports via the GEMP Online System.

They are also encouraged to transition to energy-saving technologies such as LED lighting and inverter-type air-conditioning units and to promote daily energy conservation habits in government operations.

DILG also urges local chief executives to embed EEC measures in their development plans, reflecting the national vision of “Bagong Pilipinas”—a proactive, accountable, and future-ready government.

“This issuance empowers our LGUs to take a more active role in achieving our national energy efficiency goals,” former Energy Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla said in a statement.

“Under the leadership of Secretary Jonvic Remulla Jr., the DILG continues to demonstrate its commitment to good governance and climate responsiveness,” Lotilla added.

The Circular builds on previous DOE-DILG joint initiatives such as the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act and the LGU Energy Code, which streamline energy-related processes and improve regulatory coordination.

To equip LGUs with the tools to meet the new requirements, the DOE has held capacity-building workshops this year for local governments in the National Capital Region (NCR), Batanes, and Iloilo.

These sessions guided local officials, EEC officers, and focal personnel in developing strategic LEECPs tailored to their specific energy consumption patterns and efficiency goals.

In parallel, the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Bulacan initiated their own training sessions, achieving a 100% completion rate among participating LGUs.

All participating LGUs successfully produced localized LEECPs designed to institutionalize sustainable practices, improve governance structures, and embed monitoring systems for long-term implementation.

The LEECP framework helps LGUs formalize policies, install programmatic support, and measure outcomes to ensure continued energy savings and operational efficiency.

With over 1,700 LGUs across the country, full compliance with the EEC Act could significantly reduce government energy bills and carbon emissions, with potential annual savings reaching hundreds of millions of pesos.

In 2023, the DOE reported that agencies implementing GEMP saved over PHP 280 million in electricity and fuel costs—a figure expected to grow as LGU compliance increases.

The DILG Circular underscores the role of local governments as frontliners in climate action, energy transition, and sustainable development.

The DOE continues to provide technical support and coordination to ensure that LGUs meet their compliance targets and adopt forward-looking energy solutions.

To download DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-047, visit https://bit.ly/44Fkvdl.