The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of San Carlos in Negros Occidental held a public hearing on the proposed Energy Efficiency and Conservation Ordinance, June 23 at the SP Session Hall.
The proposed ordinance encourages the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, renewable energy systems, and green building designs to help reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and support climate change mitigation efforts, the city said June 24.
It covers all local government offices, facilities, and national government agencies operating within the city, while also encouraging participation from the private sector, including commercial and industrial establishments, educational institutions, residential subdivisions, homeowners’ associations, and the barangays.
The proposed ordinance also encourages new commercial and high-density developments to adopt green building standards, including the use of energy-efficient systems, solar-ready infrastructure, EV-ready parking spaces, and other sustainable design features.
Councilors Arthur Batomalaque, Joseph Mark Antonio, Marydawn Cañetan, and Gerardo Valmayor III presided over the public hearing attended by councilors Rommel Debulgado, Victoriana Cabili, Philip Gerard Maisog, and Joselito Lopez, along with representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature, the City Environment Management Office, barangay officials, and private sector representatives.
Under the proposed ordinance, a City Energy Efficiency and Conservation Office will be created under the CEMO-Climate Change Division to oversee the implementation of the city’s energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.
In compliance with Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, and in line with the city’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development, the proposed measure seeks to establish a citywide program that promotes responsible and efficient energy use across government offices, businesses, schools, barangays, and households.
To strengthen accountability and monitoring, government offices, barangays, and public schools will be required to submit monthly energy consumption reports, while annual energy audits of city-owned facilities will be conducted to identify opportunities for reducing energy use. ||
