Government Energy Management Program (GEMP)
The Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) is the DOE-administered program mandating all government entities — including national agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), and Foreign Service Posts — to implement energy efficiency and conservation in their operations. It was activated by IAEECC Resolution No. 5 series of 2022, which directed all Government Entities (GEs) to observe the approved GEMP Guidelines [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, footnote 72, 2023].
GEMP operates under the broader National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan (NEECP) and Roadmap 2023–2050 framework. See Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) for the overarching EEC context.
Statutory Basis (Section 4(t) and Section 9, RA 11285)
The GEMP is defined by statute in Section 4(t) of RA 11285 as the “government-wide program to reduce the government’s monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products through electricity efficiency and conservation, and efficiency and conservation in fuel use of government vehicles, among others” [RA 11285, Section 4(t), 2019].
DOE leads GEMP compliance per the strategic direction provided by the IAEECC (§5(d)), and the IAEECC is responsible for evaluating and approving government energy efficiency projects and providing that strategic direction (§9). Government agencies and LGUs may use BOT arrangements (RA 6957/7718), NEDA JV Guidelines, and RA 9184 procurement modalities for government EE projects (§11) [RA 11285, Sections 5, 9, 11, 2019].
Legal and Regulatory Basis
- RA 11285 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2019) — primary legislation mandating government EEC programs
- IAEECC Resolution No. 5 s.2022 — directs all GEs, LGUs, and Foreign Service Posts to observe GEMP Guidelines and implement Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (EECPs)
- DC2023-05-0009 — GEMP Guidelines on Strengthening EEC Professionals, Training Module Adoption, and Certification Process for Recognition of Training Institutions [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.52, 2023]
Program Components
Government Energy Efficiency Projects (GEEPs) are the implementation modality for GEMP. They include solar power generation, solar heating systems, and building efficiency upgrades. GEMP includes three investment programs under the 2023–2050 planning horizon [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.57 and Table 33, 2023]:
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Demonstration | Solar PV technology for government office buildings |
| Third-Party Energy Audits | Audits of buildings of Government Entities |
| EVCS Demonstration | Electric vehicle charging station demonstration in government facilities |
EEC Professional Hierarchy (DC2023-05-0009)
The DC establishes a three-tier structure for GEMP implementers within each government entity [DC2023-05-0009, §§3–5, 2023-05-12]:
| Role | Appointed by | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| EEC Officer | Head of agency / local chief executive | Overall EECP/LEECP and monthly energy performance reporting to DOE |
| EEC Focal Person | Head of department-level entity | EECP/LEECP for each bureau/service/office, including ROs/FOs and Foreign Service posts |
| EEC Coordinator | Head of agency (by Office Order) | Day-to-day EEC measures in specific buildings/facilities; added by DC2023-05-0009 |
EEC Coordinator qualifications [DC2023-05-0009, §4.1, 2023-05-12]:
- LGU: basic education; designated by local chief executive
- Other GEs: basic education; plantilla or permanent employment status; outsourced personnel allowed if GEMP-trained
- Continuing qualification: EEC seminars by DOE or DOE-approved third party
- All EEC Professionals must register in the DOE-GEMP Online System (gemp.doe.gov.ph)
EEC Coordinator responsibilities [DC2023-05-0009, §5.3, 2023-05-12]:
- Sleep settings on office equipment
- Turn off unused lights and AC units (except No-Noon-Break offices)
- Maintain AC spaces at 24°C ambient; stairs over elevators for ±1 floor
- Government vehicle EEC: tire inflation, oil change schedule, prohibition on engine idling and overloading
Certification and Training
DC2023-05-0009 introduced GEMP-specific recognition of training institutions. As of 2023, two GEMP-certified RTIs are recognized [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, Table 30, 2023]:
- MERALCO Power Academy
- PAMAV Training Institute and Technology Center, Inc.
These are in addition to the broader pool of DOE-recognized training institutions for CEMs, CECOs, and CEAs under DC2021-01-0001. See Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) for practitioner counts.
Recognized Training Institution (RTI) Framework
RTIs are the only entities permitted to provide prescribed GEMP EEC training. Requirements for DOE recognition [DC2023-05-0009, §9, 2023-05-12]:
- Accomplished application form (Annex C)
- Certified true copies of corporate personality documents
- List of equipment/instruments and instructional materials
- List of lecturers/instructors with CVs and PRC license (if applicable)
- List of trainings provided
- Training plan with number of days and fees
- Application fee: PhP10,000.00 (non-refundable)
RTI certificate validity: 3 years. Application processed within approximately 73 working days (desk evaluation + site inspection if needed). DOE-EUMB conducts annual monitoring and evaluation of RTIs [DC2023-05-0009, §14, 2023-05-12].
RTI obligations: ensure compliance with the Training Module; assess trainee qualifications; submit annual report to DOE by 01 April each year; comply with EEC Act, EEC-IRR, and this DC [DC2023-05-0009, §10, 2023-05-12].
3-Day Training Module (Annex B)
The EUMB develops the Training Module adopted by all RTIs. The curriculum covers five modules over three days [DC2023-05-0009, Annex B, 2023-05-12]:
| Module | Topic | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overview of RA 11285 and GEMP | EEC Act/IAEECC Resolutions; NEECP Framework; GEMP concept/guidelines; EEC roles; spot-check and energy audit procedures |
| 2 | Incentives and Financing Modality Options | EECR Certification; ESCO performance contracts; GFI loans; Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards |
| 3 | GEMP Online System Workshop | Hands-on: logging in; submitting EECP; submitting electricity/fuel/inventory reports |
| 4 | Cost-Benefit Analysis for EEC Projects | CBA for AC and lighting retrofits; financial analysis for solar-rooftop; CBA exercises |
| 5 | Formulation of EECP | Develop EECP targeting ≥10% reduction in electricity and fuel |
Training certificates for EEC Professionals are valid for 3 years [DC2023-05-0009, §7, 2023-05-12].
Penalties for RTI Violations
Pursuant to RA 11285 §30, fines escalate per-violation [DC2023-05-0009, Annex F, 2023-05-12]:
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| 1st | PhP10,000 |
| 2nd | PhP15,000 |
| 3rd | PhP20,000 + Revocation of RTI Certification (and possible blacklisting) |
The five RTI prohibited acts: (1) non-compliance with §10 responsibilities; (2) training without DOE recognition; (3) false or misleading information; (4) refusal of on-site inspection; (5) failure to comply with DOE orders.
Investment and Employment
| Category | Government Inv (PhP M) | Private Inv (PhP M) | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEMP (2023–2050) | 147.57 | — | 921* |
(*2023 data. Ongoing jobs projection through 2050 not separately quantified.)
[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, Table 33, 2023]
Governance
The Inter-Agency Committee on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (IAEECC) is the governing body for GEMP implementation and coordination. Its resolutions are binding on all government entities.
The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Office (NEECO) is to be established as the permanent coordinator for EEC efforts across government, replacing the current ad-hoc IAEECC-led coordination structure. NEECO will work with LGUs on identifying and evaluating EEC projects. As of 2023, NEECO has not yet been established [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.58, 2023].
Medium-Term Plans (2025–2028)
- Continue GEMP implementation across all government agencies and LGUs
- Develop financing models for government-sector EE projects
- Establish Building Energy Efficiency Indices for government buildings
- Create a rolling pipeline of government EE projects for LGUs and public buildings
[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, Table 32, 2023]