By Claire Anne D. Jardenil

Attendees of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Rollout held at the at the Guimaras State University (GSU) Mosqueda Campus.

Following the successful rollout of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Orientation and Training in Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz, the Guimaras GEMP Rollout marked the completion of the regionwide GEMP rollout supported by the United States Agency for International Development Energy Secure Philippines (USAID ESP) through its Energy Knowledge Empowerment in Western Visayas (EKEWV) grant activity and its grantee, Central Philippine University (CPU).

On August 28, 2024, the Guimaras GEMP Rollout took place at the Guimaras State University (GSU) Mosqueda Campus in Jordan, Guimaras. This was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the CPU EKEWV, the Provincial Government of Guimaras, and the GSU. This collaboration supported by the USAID ESP, underscored a strong commitment to efficient and sustainable energy practices throughout Western Visayas.

The seminar kicked off with the opening remarks given by Engr. Sheila Rose G. Buencuchillo, Provincial General Services Officer, and Mr. Lino Galea, Executive Assistant III of the Office of the Governor. They both emphasized the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation in the province’s development strategies and manifested their commitment to complying with the GEMP.

The program then continued with an in-depth look into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (Republic Act No. 11285) which institutionalizes energy efficiency and conservation practices in the Philippines. Ms. Lou Arciaga, Chief, Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division (ERDUD), DOE Visayas Field Office (VFO), presented significant measures for reducing energy consumption and stressed the importance of the use of renewable energy. Additionally, Engr. Robert James Lacandazo, Science Research Specialist II – DOE VFO, provided supplementary information on the latest updates on RA 11285.

Mr. Rey Victor P. Garin, Iloilo Province’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Focal Person, inspired the participants by sharing Iloilo Province’s experience and best practices in complying with the GEMP and other requirements under the RA 11285.

To ensure the successful implementation of the GEMP, Engr. Ceasar Rico Acanto, EKEWV Assistant Project Leader, lectured on how to properly comply with the GEMP requirements, emphasizing the purpose and significance of the GEMP Forms. Following this, Ms. Kaycee Joy Oresco, EKEWV’s Project Finance Officer, conducted a step-by-step walkthrough of the DOE online GEMP portal, demonstrating how to access and input information into the system.

Representatives from four (4) municipalities in Guimaras attended the event and participated actively in the open forum where they shared their concerns with regards to their compliance with the GEMP and RA 11285.