Philippine gov't establishes audit team to ensure energy saving

 

MANILA, Aug 23, 2005 -- Xinhua

 

The Philippine government Tuesday said that it has established an audit team to ensure its agencies' compliance with energy-saving measures amid the looming oil crisis.

The government said in a statement that the team, which will be headed by deputy executive secretary Waldo Flores and energy undersecretary Peter Abaya, is tasked to ensure all agencies abide by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's directive to reduce the energy consumption by at least 10 percent.

"The president wants to show that the government is leading the effort to bring down the (country's oil) import bill," Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said during a press briefing.

According to the government, the team will coordinate government plans in the proper and effective implementation of the energy conservation measures.

Meanwhile, each government agency will designate its own audit officers to submit regular compliance reports.

Flores said that any agency which does not follow the president 's call for energy conservation will be put under administrative sanctions.

Earlier this month, in view of the oil price that recorded the history highest, President Arroyo issued an Executive Order mandating all government departments and agencies to reduce their monthly consumption of electricity and petroleum products by 10 percent.

Other energy-saving measures include the implementation of organized bus routes and reduced use of artificial illumination.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla earlier has also admitted the impending oil crisis poses a threat to the country.

According to the energy department, as a net oil importer, the Philippines' oil import recorded a 27.2-percent increase in the first five months of this year to 2.308 billion US dollars from 1. 815 billion dollars in the same period last year.

To realize the 60 percent energy self-supply by 2010 set by President Arroyo last year, the government has been speeding its study and widespread of utilization of alternative fuel, such as coco biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas and autogas.

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