Solon: Bill for energy efficiency, conservation to become law soon

MANILA, Philippines — A bill institutionalizing the country’s energy efficiency and conservation roadmap could be enacted into law before the 17th Congress ends, a lawmaker said Monday.

1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy, Inc. (1-CARE) Rep. Carlos Uybarreta said with House Bill No. 8629 and Senate Bill No 1531 being “essentially similar,” the Energy Efficiency and Conservation bill – which aims a 3 percent reduction in energy intensity across key economic sectors – could soon be enacted into law.

HB 8629 also lays down legal mandates for implementing the country’s 2017-2040 National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Roadmap.

“Inilalatag ng mga panukalang batas na ito ang basehan ng mga magiging bagong teknolohiya at pamamaraan ng pagtitipid ng enerhiya at pangangalaga sa kalikasan sa mga susunod pang dekada,” Uybarreta said in a statement.

The Senate unanimously approved SB 1531 on final reading last February 5 while the House approved HB 8629 last December 3.

Uybarreta, principal author of HB 8629 and vice chair of the House committee on energy, said the Enercon bills “provide the policy bases and legal mandates for energy efficiency and conservation by all sectors of Philippine society.”

“Without this legal framework, the green architecture of industry and government, as well as the environment-friendly habits of households and communities over the next decades will not happen. This is the law that will set in motion all of that modern future of our country,” he said.

“Dahil sa Enercon Act, magiging laganap na ang energy savings at mga kagamitan na may tatak ng kanilang energy savings sa paggamit ng appliances, mga sasakyan, at konsumo ng kuryente ng mga gusali,” he added.

The Congress bicameral conference should consolidate and approve the two bills before it could be ratified by both chambers and be up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. /kga