SAN JOSE, Antique, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DoE) is currently conducting spot checking of government offices and facilities in the province to check, monitor, and evaluate energy consumption and verify if such entities are implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures.

In Antique, Roland R. Meneses and Cristomo C. Laplap of the DoE Visayas Field Office based in Cebu City are the ones conducting the spot checking activity in San Jose, Antique during the first week of April.

Meneses and Laplap said such “spot checks by the DoE is in connection with Administrative Order 110 directing government entities to instututionalize energy management and conservation measures.”

Among their priorities are to check on the designation of Energy Conservation Officer of every agency to facilitate development and implementation of other energy conservation measures.

The team is also checking on the usage of electricity including the use of slim type fluorescent lamps, regulated use of air-conditioners, setting off of office equipment and appliances when not in use and other energy saving strategies employed by the offices.

The use of vehicles is also monitored particularly in terms of fuel consumption, preventive maintenance and repairs and other fuel conservation programs.

According to Meneses, Government was able to save, over a period of less than three years, from September 2005 to May 2008, a little over P1 billion – P853,186,142.00 in terms of electricity and P156,192,932.00 in fuel.