by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro (28 March) -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been cited first in the list of top 20 government agencies in Northern Mindanao for their energy and fuel conservation efforts.

This was revealed by Antonio M. Nabong, Chief of the Energy Efficiency Division, Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Dept. of Energy (DOE) that conducted an unannounced on-the-spot checking of the electricity and fuel consumption of the regional government entities in Cagayan de Oro City, last year.

During the Seminar on Mobilizing Government and Private Partners’ Support to Efficient Lighting Market Transformation held at Grand Caprice Restaurant, Cagayan de Oro City, recently, Nabong said they have given LTO-10 a grade “A” rating for garnering 98% and has posted the “5 Star” sign at their office entrance to recognize their efforts.

The spot checking project was done to know the extent of implementation of the Government’s Energy Management Program (GEMP) as mandated in Administrative Order 110 of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The said AO was issued by the President to promote the efficient use of our energy resources through intensified conservation efforts and its effective utilization, as well as, to institute measures and minimize if not forestall the adverse effect of the prices of oil in the country’s economy.

“The most important thing is that the Philippine economy grows and it will continue to grow despite any storm in the global markets,” she said.

Meanwhile, the GEMP requires all government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC’s), government finance institutions (GFI’s) and other government instrumentalities to adapt austerity measures resulting in the reduction of at least 10% in the cost of their electricity and fuel consumption.

Accordingly, the following guidelines were considered in the spot rating: Designation of an Energy Conservation Officer and office issuances on energy conservation, 5% each.

On electricity: Use of a compact fluorescent lamp and slim type of fluorescent lamps, 5%, room-setting temperature of not lower than 25 degrees centigrade, 9%, operation of air-conditioning units from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 11%, air leakage/infiltration, 2%, aircon setting of “fan” during lunch time, 9%, turning-off of computers/equipments/appliances when not in use, 5%, 2nd floor elevator services by pass and readiness/availability of electric utility bill, 2% each or a total of 45%.

On fuel: Inventory list and assignment of government service vehicles to a particular official, monthly fuel consumption report/record and preventive maintenance schedule of service vehicles including repairs, 7% each, records of daily entry and dispatch of service vehicles from motor pool, records of trip tickets for each service vehicle and idling of engines while waiting and/or parking, 5% each and the use of Coconut Methyl Ester (CME) for vehicles using diesel fuel, 11% or another total of 45%.

Meanwhile, DOE has awarded “5” Stars for the GEMP ratings of the following government entities: Govt. Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS), 95% each, Dept. of Budget and Management (DBM) and Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA), 92% each and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 91%.

Awarded “3” Stars are Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Home Mutual Development Fund (PAG-IBIG), 89% each, Dept. of Social Welfare ad Development (DSWD), 88%, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 87% and Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI), 86%,

Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST), 84%, Dept. of Education, (DepEd), Dept. of Health (DOH), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Commission on Population (POPCOM), 83%, each, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), 82% and Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR), 81%.