Dumaguete then and now

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has commended Philippine companies for emerging as the world’s top energy cost managers in a recent survey conducted by the Grant Thornton International.

“I commend our companies here in the country for continuously adopting measures to manage their energy costs. Their attitude and high level of awareness towards energy efficiency and conservation have not only contributed in lowering their business costs but also earned respect and admiration from other companies across the globe,” Lotilla said.

Results of the survey conducted by the Grant Thornton International, an organization of independently owned and managed accounting and consulting firms, showed that out of 7,200 privately-held businesses surveyed in 32 countries, businesses in the Philippines have done the most to address energy and environmental issues.

Based on the survey, Brazil comes second to the Philippines, followed by China, Malaysia, Germany, Turkey, Poland, Hong Kong, Mexico and India.

Survey results further showed that about 83 percent of businesses in the Philippines have undertaken energy reviews to understand how they may be wasting energy, compared to the global average of only 58 percent.

Likewise, 85 percent of businesses in the country have reduced their energy consumption, in contrast to the 59 percent average worldwide.

With the increasing prices of petroleum products in the international market, and the need to strictly comply with air emission standards and fuel efficiency measures, a growing number of private companies and government agencies are adopting energy conservation programs and practices.

International institutions and non-government organizations are also giving incentives to encourage the government and private sector to practice energy efficiency and conservation measures.

Last year, two entries from the Philippines won in the ASEAN Energy Awards sponsored by the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) based in Jakarta, for energy efficient building and renewable energy project.

The Makati Stock Exchange Building placed 2nd runner-up in the energy efficiency and conservation best practices competition for buildings while the 25- MW Northwind Bangui Bay wind power project placed 1st runner-up in the on-grid category of renewable energy project competition.

The 25-MW Northwind power project contributed significantly in the reduction of the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

On the local front, 33 private companies were recognized by the government for their remarkable achievements in their energy consumption, through the 2006 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards.

Through the combined efforts of these 33 private companies, the Philippines were able to save an estimated 72.42 million liters of oil equivalent (LOE) or about P1.73 billion.

Meanwhile, with the implementation of the government energy management program, the government was able to save 68,064,235 kWh of electricity amounting to about P522.23 million and 974,556 liters of gasoline and 1,596,072 liters of diesel amounting to about P91.63 million from reduced electricity, gasoline and diesel consumption from September 2005 to February 2007.