Last February 2, 2021, the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Local Government Academy (LGA) entered into a tripartite partnership for the development and implementation of competency-based energy efficiency and conservation training programs for Local Government Units (LGUs) under the Access to Sustainable Energy Program – Clean Energy Living Laboratories (ASEP-CELLs) Project funded by the European Union. This partnership was made official through the virtual ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.
As the master of ceremonies, Dr. Teodoro Lloydon Bautista welcomed the three parties in attendance which are represented by Dr. John Paul Vergara, Vice President of the Ateneo Professional Schools, Ms. Thelma Vecina, CESO IV, Executive Director of the LGA, and Mr. Patrick Aquino, CESO III, Director of the Energy Utilization and Management Bureau (EUMB) of the DOE. The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Josef T. Yap, Senior Technical Adviser for the ASEP-CELLs, and Mr. Giovanni Seritella, Program Manager for the Environment and Climate Change Delegation of the European Union.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Yap provided the comprehensive background of the ASEP-CELLs Project. Dr. Yap highlighted the importance of the Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2019 in enhancing the roles of the LGUs through aligning their local development plans, programs, and activities are aligned with the Philippine Energy Plan and mandating them to create a Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Office. With this, the ASoG assessed the knowledge, skills, and behavioral gaps of local government directors and staff regarding energy plans, programs, and activities, which became the basis of the courses that will be rolled out under this partnership.
Afterwards, Dr. Bautista introduced each representative to share their insights regarding this partnership.
Dr. Vergara opened his statement with the commitment of the Ateneo de Manila University, through the ASoG, to take part in the ASEP-CELLs Project and its capability-building initiative for both the national and local government levels. He also stated how the ASEP-CELLs Project and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program of DOE recognize the critical role of the local governments in implementing and translating national energy policies into concrete sustainable plans, programs, and activities. Dr. Vergara closed by saying that “We are honored to take part in this capacity-building initiative which not only identifies and build the capabilities of champions at the national and local levels but ensures the energy efficiency, energy access, and renewable energy are pursued on a sustainable basis.”
Director Vecina opened her message by emphasizing that the LGA, being the premiere institution for local governance capacity development, is honored to be called to help the partners in strengthening the local government’s capacity for sustainable energy. The partnership also came at a crucial time since the LGUs are expected take on a greater role for governance due to the Supreme Court ruling of the Mandanas-Garcia petition, granting them a greater share on the national wealth and paving the way for the full devolution of service. For her final statement, Director Vecina commended both the Ateneo and the DOE and hopes that this partnership will able to push the LGUs to advance the advance the agenda of cutting our reliance on non-sustainable sources of energy and commit towards patronizing renewable, clean, and accessible power source.
Director Aquino opened his statement by recalling the enactment of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, marking the breakthrough in energy efficiency and conservation in the country in 2019. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the DOE has pushed through with the enactment of this law as the department seeks to address the demands for sustainable energy sources, environmental challenges, and technological developments. Director Aquino also hopes that through this partnership, they will be able to tap into the multitude of ideas of the LGUs as the department’s Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi has long recognized the value and capabilities of the LGUs in the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act and the LGUs’ ability to translate national energy policies into sustainable plans and programs.
After these statements, the simulated signing of the MOA commenced. For the signing of the MOA, the Ateneo de Manila University was represented by Dr. Vergara and witnessed by Dr. Yap who stands in for Dr. Ronald Mendoza, Dean of ASoG. The LGA was represented by Director Vecina and witnessed by Ms. Esmeralda Daphne Purnell, Assistant Director of LGA. And, the DOE was represented by Director Aquino who stands in for Sec. Cusi for this event.
As for the closing remarks, Mr. Seritella congratulated everyone involved in the party and reiterated the importance of this partnership especially during the pandemic in which most economies are inclined to lean towards cheaper forms of energy such as fossil fuels, which might cause delays on the achievement targets in the Paris Agreement. Mr. Seritella also took the opportunity to say that the EU Delegation highly appreciates the work down by the ASEP-CELLs Project in coordinating implementation of the training initiative launched today which complement many other notable achievements under the ASEP. He assures that the EU will continue to support the agenda of the DOE with the aim to continue strengthening the capacity of the EUMB and LGUs as prime actors of knowledge and positive change on ground in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation.
Mr. Seritella closed the ceremony by saying “It is in these contexts where the partnership launched today is very significant not only because it will help redefining the role of the LGUs as key sustainable energy prime movers and champions but because the initiative will also reinforce the importance of the contribution that Renewable Energy has to mitigate climate change while ensuring energy security in the post-COVID economic recovery phase.”
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