
The Celebration for this December’s National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Month has truly taken into another level as the Department of Energy hailed the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) as a pioneer awardee of the Sustainable Energy Awards 2024 (SEA 2024) for the Local Government Unit category.
The Province of Iloilo has once again proved its stellar performance in championing and leading the way in mainstreaming Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) in local governments' operations in Western Visayas.
Anchored on IPG's Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient (MoRProGReS) Province of Iloilo agenda, IPG has been beyond committed in the province-wide compliance to the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).
The awarding ceremony was held today, December 12, 2024 at the Makati Diamond Residences. Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. together with Vice Governor Christine Garin; Hon. Rolando “Rolly” B. Distura, 4th District SP Member, Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco, Jr. PGDH-PGENRO; and Mr. Rey Victor P. Garin, EEC Focal Person, represented the Province in accepting the Sustainable Energy Awards 2024 with great pride and honor.
Among the many factors that contributed to IPG’s success are the RE and EEC initiatives manifested through programs, projects, and legislative support. From capacity building, trainings, information education campaigns, technical assistance for RE project development, Solar PV installations in District Hospitals, and collaboration with vital agencies, the IPG through the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Desk (PGENRO-EEC Desk) has catalyzed the rise of the Iloilo Province as one of the notable LGUs in GEMP Compliance.
Legislative support has also been vital as the award cited the Iloilo Provincial Ordinance for Renewable Energy 2022, known as the I-PORE, as the first RE ordinance in the whole country with a budget appropriation. The I-PORE was authored by the Province’s very own Energy Champion, Hon. Rolando “Rolly” Distura.
Also present in the program are key officials from the Department Energy, European Union Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, United Nations Development Program- Development For Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability Project (UNPD-DREAMS), South East Asia Energy Transition Partnership-United Nations Office for Project Services; United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and Institute for Climate Sustainable Cities.
IPG’s victory in the SEA 2024 is a testament to its deep commitment in fostering Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and Conservation to create significant changes— bolstering economic, medical, agricultural, disaster risk reduction and management, and education sectors through the power of clean energy. (EEC Team)
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