Villar Urges Government Offices to Use Renewable Source of Energy

Rep. Mark A. Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City) has filed a bill urging all government offices to use renewable source energy and conserve the use of electricity from power plants and generators from various distributors.

“This is an opportune time for the government to set an example for its citizenry to follow,” Villar said.

Under House Bill 6304, all national government offices shall install any appropriate and feasible renewable energy source as provided under Republic Act 9513 also known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Villar said the bill will cover all provincial, regional and other satellite offices of the national government including government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCCs).

Villar said the renewable energy installed in the government offices shall be the source of the offices’ power supply for at least 20 percent of its total daily energy consumption.

In pushing for the bill, Villar cited the declared policy of the State to increase the utilization of renewable energy by institutionalizing the development of national and local capabilities in use of renewable energy systems, and promoting its efficient and cost-effective application.

The bill requires the DOE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to determine the appropriate and feasible renewable energy source depending on the location of the government office concerned.

Villar said the Department of Energy (DOE) had already warned of an impending shortage of power supply in the country in 2015.

He said Congress was even asked by the Executive Department to give the President emergency powers to address this foreseen problem.

“The Philippines has huge, diverse renewable sources of energy that can be harnessed to generate clean, non-polluting power. Developing these resources will reduce the country’s dependence on expensive imported fuel, and sustain our demands for energy,” Villar said.

Source: www.congress.gov.ph