Public utilities monitoring program enhanced
City officials enhanced Ordinance No. 12, series of 2013 that established the Public Utilities Monitoring Program for government offices and buildings and provided incentives for the efficient use and reduction in the consumption of water and electricity.
Under Ordinance No. 27, series of 2023, in compliance to the directive of the energy department for the mandatory implementation of energy and conservation measures to all government entities to realize at least 10 percent savings and strict implementation of the government energy management program, there is hereby established a Public Utilities Monitoring Program for electricity and water consumption for government offices and buildings in the city.
The said program shall cover all public offices and buildings owned by the local government and other government buildings, including schools where the public utilities such as electricity and water are paid for by the city.
The ordinance created the technical working group (TWG) in the local government for the implementation of the program which shall be chaired by the City General Services officer and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Traffic Legislations. The members of the TWG shall be the City Building Official, City Environment and Parks Management officer (CEPMO), City treasurer, representative of the education department, representative of the interior and local government department, representative of the energy department, representative from the private sector and any other member to be appointed by the City Mayor.
The ordinance tasked the administrative officers of every office/agency/school to ensure that energy saving measures or cost reduction of electricity consumption such as, but not limited to for electricity;; turn of lights and equipment when not in use, use available sunlight to illuminate work spaces, replace incandescent light bulbs with light emitting diodes fluorescent lamps/bulbs, regulate the use of air conditioning units, purchase energy saving office equipment and avoid cooking of food electricity, secret for boiling water for coffee/tea/other hot drinks; for water; use of eco-flush system on toilet fixtures, use of gravity-water line system, use of rainwater harvesting facility and use of auto-shut off faucet; some conservation strategies/tips that can be applied; maximizing natural lighting and ventilation during design stage of any building project, desktop computers are programmed to sleep when not in use in all offices, centralized printing station, regular maintenance check for possible leaks of air conditioning system, regular cleaning of inlet valves and use of rechargeable tools and equipment.
Further, the administrative officers of every office/agency/school shall make a monthly report of its electric, water and internet consumption to be submitted to the General services office.
The ordinance mandated the General Services office to make a semi-annual report of each office/building/school to be submitted to the TWG which shall study the reports and make the necessary recommendations to the city council and the City Mayor. – Dexter A. See
