DOE, DILG Require LGUs to Enforce Energy Efficiency Plans

All local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines are now required to implement energy efficiency and conservation programs under a new directive jointly supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-047, issued on May 14, mandates LGUs to prepare and enforce Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECPs), designate EEC Officers, and regularly submit energy consumption data to the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Online System.

“This issuance empowers our LGUs to take a more active role in achieving our national energy efficiency goals, while reinforcing the vital link between sustainable development and accountable energy use,” said Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.

He praised DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla Jr. for advancing climate-responsive local policy and integrating energy planning into good governance frameworks.

The directive enforces Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act, which promotes efficient energy use across all sectors, especially within government institutions.

It also supports the implementation of Administrative Order No. 15, which accelerates government efforts to conserve energy and optimize operating costs.

Under the circular, LGUs are urged to install LED lighting, shift to inverter-type air conditioning units in government buildings, and embed energy efficiency targets into development plans.

To support LGUs in complying with the policy, the DOE conducted a series of workshops in the National Capital Region, Batanes, Iloilo, Agusan del Norte, and Bulacan.

All participating LGUs completed draft LEECPs tailored to their local infrastructure, consumption patterns, and energy-saving opportunities.

“These LEECPs are not just compliance documents; they are strategic roadmaps to institutionalize energy efficiency at the local level,” said the DOE in a statement.

Each LEECP provides a framework for identifying savings opportunities, setting measurable goals, and embedding performance monitoring systems.

Energy data from LGUs will feed into the GEMP Online System, allowing national agencies to track energy use, identify inefficiencies, and provide technical support where needed.

The DOE highlighted that integrating energy efficiency into local governance not only cuts electricity and fuel costs but also enhances the country’s climate resilience and energy security.

The move builds on past DOE-DILG partnerships, including the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act and the LGU Energy Code, both aimed at streamlining regulatory processes and fostering renewable energy investments.