By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Aug. 31 (PNA) — The Philippines on Monday started hosting the three-day 46th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Experts and Officials’ meeting in Cebu Monday.
In a statement Monday, the Energy Department said the Energy Efficiency and Conservation experts and official meeting is a bi-annual forum of APEC members that promotes energy conservation, application of energy efficiency practices and technologies. It aims to contribute to international efforts of reducing the impacts of increasing energy production and consumption.
The APEC’s members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.
The department said the forum , which runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 at Mrco Polo Hotel, will also tackle developments on smart grids, energy management systems, standards and labeling, energy intensity reduction, energy management systems, standards and labeling and transport fuel efficiency.
It also said the delegates would also visit Mandaue City for an educational briefing on its green buildings that include the San Miguel Brewery Inc. – Mandaue Brewery for its efficient energy practices.
The department said it has implemented various energy efficiency measures such as retrofitting of public lighting, public offices, state universities and street lights, distribution of energy efficient lights, promotion of energy efficient vehicles.
The department added it has initiated consumer education programs on energy efficiency measures and demand-side management.
The government office said that the Philippines was also finalizing its 2014-2020 National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Action Plan with the European Union’s SWITCH Program. (PNA)