by Myrna Velasco March 26, 2016
The labeling program of the
Department of Energy (DOE) is being expanded to reinforce the country’s energy
efficiency and conservation initiatives.
According to DOE assistant secretary
officer-in-charge Patrick T. Aquino, the agency “is updating the Philippine
Energy Standards and Labeling Program (PESLP), which would cover a wider range
of appliances and lighting systems, and to include even light duty motor
vehicles.”
The initial coverage of the
State-underpinned energy efficiency program include air-conditioners;
split-type air conditioning system; refrigerators with 5 to 8 cubic feet
storage capacity; and three types of fluorescent lamp (for linear and circular
CFL); and electrical ballasts.
Basically, this is the ‘yellow tag’
attached to appliances being sold in the marketplace, which indicates their
energy efficiency rating.
The intent of the department will be
to pare energy intensity by 45-percent, noting that with the rollout of more
efficient appliances, the electricity consumption of appliances could be
reduced for the same level of convenience they provide to end-users.
The DOE noted that for the expanded
policy, it has given weight to all stakeholder comments and suggestions to make
it more attuned to the needs of affected constituencies.
In line with the fortified policy,
the DOE indicated that it will be reviving its on-line information campaign to
educate the public on the expanded EC and conservation paradigm.
The online campaign will draw from
experiences of end-users on how they have been carrying out their own
initiatives to reduce energy consumption.
It has to be noted that aside from
the lead set out by the government, power utility giant Manila Electric Company
(Meralco) has also been pursuing its own ‘appliance labeling program’ to
further educate consumers on energy efficiency and conservation.
On a wider scale, groups of
advocates are also pushing for the passage of a legislated measure to
strengthen the country’s resolve on this sphere.
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