BACNOTAN, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized the local government unit (LGU) of Bacnotan, La Union as an exemplar of energy efficiency and conservation, making it the sole awardee from the Ilocos Region during the 2024 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards.
LGU Bacnotan was one of the 18 outstanding entities in the country that was cited by the DOE during the 2024 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards staged on Dec. 12.
The LGU achieved energy savings of P1.16 million, equivalent to 38,624 kilowatt-hours or approximately 26 tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided from 2022 to 2023.
According to Bacnotan Mayor Divine Fontanilla, the LGU created various strategies and are observing different practices to reduce energy consumption thus ensuring energy efficiency and security.
“We have established the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Management Board, our local policy-making body for energy management and conservation,” Fontanilla said.
She added that the LGU has designated officers and focal persons across its 47 barangays to oversee the implementation of these initiatives.
A team was also created which manages the system for the monitoring of the LGU’s energy and fuel consumption.
The generated data is uploaded to the DOE’s Government Energy Management Program website.
Fontanilla shared that the energy-saving initiative started in 2019.
The initiative started with simple measures, such as transitioning from fluorescent bulbs to LED lighting, implementing strict air conditioning usage schedules, and installing inverter-type air conditioning units in LGU buildings.
At present, the LGU included solar panels in the municipality’s infrastructure projects.
The LGU will soon start the initial establishment of solar charging stations in five barangays in this town.
“We are working on the project little by little and we are seeking partnerships to help us realize more renewable energy sources in the municipality,” Fontanilla said.
With the hope to further intensify the initiative, Fontanilla calls for private establishments in the town to adopt the same energy-saving practices.
LGU Bacnotan also committed the continuous funding for projects on renewable energy and the constant watch of its energy and fuel consumption.
“We will also remain steadfast on our information and education campaign, usually taken during the regular conduct of our barangay caravan, to raise awareness across our kababayans in the barangays,” she said.
Furthermore, LGU Bacnotan welcomes visits from other LGUs and institutions looking to benchmark their best practices in energy efficiency and conservation for replication in their respective areas. (CCMT/CGCC, PIA Region 1)
