Two government agencies in the region were recognized in the other day’s Seminar on Power Conservation and Efficiency organized by the Department of Energy at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city.
Garnering the highest ratings in the previous spot check activity in government buildings done in 2005, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), through their designated energy conservation or “enercon” officers, shared their success story to be replicated by other offices.
DPWH enercon officer Atty. Warlito Cartagena shared how serious the agency has been in following the guidelines for energy conservation.
“Airconditioning units are turned on from 9 am and turned off at 4 pm. We all set the aircon on fan mode during the noon break,” said Cartagena .
Aside from the aircon schedule, the agency also ensures proper maintenance of these units by having them cleaned and maintained regularly.
The enercon official also pushed for a strict use of service vehicles by only allowing official travels.
“To make sure that we get to see concrete results, we reduced the gasoline allocation from 10 liters to 8 liters for travels within the city proper. For long-distance travels, we followed the carpooling system,” he said.
With these energy conservation practices, DPWH got a 94 percent rating during the DOE spot check conducted in 2005.
The agency head then issued a memorandum for the continued implementation of enercon guidelines that even until now the agency strictly follows.
Cartagena shared that concrete savings in electricity and fuel cost allowed the agency employees to benefit from concrete incentives like higher collective negotiation agreement (CNA) and other allowances that the agency rightfully gave to the workers.
Government entities which attained at least 10% savings in electricity and fuel consumption are awarded with a Certificate of Recognition by way of inspiring public servants to help implement the energy conservation program.
The agency with an efficient rating may also set aside and use remaining equivalent annual peso savings to continuously maintain the efficient operation of the building. [PIA XI/Mai Gevera]
All government agencies are encouraged to attain a high rating on energy conservation.
