The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC) issued an Advisory directing all government agencies to strictly implement the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Guidelines and comply with relevant IAEECC resolutions.
The Advisory was signed by Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin on 04 March 2026.
The directive forms part of the government’s proactive measures to mitigate the impact of ongoing developments in the Middle East and to help ensure sufficient and reliable electricity supply during the hot dry season, when power demand typically rises.
Under the Advisory, all government offices are mandated to adopt and sustain energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) measures aimed at achieving at least ten percent (10%) savings in energy consumption. The DOE emphasized that the policy is not only a compliance requirement, but also a concrete demonstration of leadership in promoting responsible and efficient energy use across the public sector.
“Government must lead by example in using energy wisely and responsibly, especially during periods of heightened demand and global uncertainty,” said Secretary Garin, who also chairs the IAEECC. “Through the strict implementation of the Government Energy Management Program, we are reinforcing a culture of conservation in public institutions while helping safeguard the country’s energy security.”
Among the energy-saving measures are the activation of sleep settings on office equipment, setting air-conditioning unit (ACU) thermostats at no lower than 24 degrees Celsius, keeping doors of air-conditioned spaces closed to maintain ambient temperature, turning off lights and computers during lunch breaks and after office hours when not in use, and shifting to more energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and inverter-type air-conditioning systems. The advisory also encourages the adoption of flexible work arrangements, where practical and applicable, and the use of on-site renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic (PV), where feasible.
To strengthen institutional compliance, government agencies are likewise required to designate their respective Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) professionals, including the EEC Officer, Focal Person, and Coordinator. They must also regularly submit monthly electricity and fuel consumption reports, inventory reports of all energy-consuming equipment, and their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan (EECP) or Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan (LEECP.
The DOE said these measures are essential to advancing the objectives of the GEMP, which seeks to reduce government energy consumption by at least ten percent (10%) and institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation as a way of life in the public sector.
The Department further underscored that compliance with the Advisory will be closely monitored. To validate observance of the directive, the DOE Energy Audit Team will conduct random spot checks and issue energy ratings as part of its oversight and enforcement efforts.
By strengthening the implementation of the GEMP and IAEECC resolutions, the DOE underscores the importance of responsible energy use and preparedness amid ongoing developments in the Middle East that may influence global oil markets and energy supply conditions.
