NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — A major step toward energy security, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar has asserted its full support for the implementation of the Department of Energy’s Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG-ERPB) Program.
During the Forum on Accelerating Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Government through Solar PV Solutions and E-Mobility, held on August 5, 2026, in Tacloban City, Board Member Emil Nicholas Ongchuan II, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Franchises, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Energy on behalf of the Provincial Government.
This formalizes the province’s partnership with DOE in advancing energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy initiatives in the province.
With other local government units across Region 8 on board, Northern Samar will work closely with the DOE and support the implementation of initiatives under the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which seeks to reduce electricity and fuel consumption in government offices by 10% to 20% while promoting the shift from conventional energy sources to clean and renewable energy.
Already advancing this cause, Governor Harris Ongchuan has implemented energy and resource conservation measures in the province. Since March, Executive Order No. 26-03-01 has enforced energy and fuel-saving protocols in provincial government offices, including limiting official travel to essential functions, promoting virtual meetings, regulating the use of electric-powered appliances and devices such as ACs and lighting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and enhancing monitoring and compliance through the Provincial Government’s Energy Conservation Officer.
More recently, Executive Order No. 26-01-01 reintroduced work-from-home schedules and skeleton workforce arrangements in selected offices, offering primary and vital services, to further reduce electricity and fuel consumption while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of public services.
As part of the pilot implementation of the SSG-ERPB Program, the DOE will fund and facilitate the installation of an initial 20-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the Provincial Government. The agency will also conduct orientation and capacity-building activities for local officials and technical personnel in the province.
According to DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan, they will continue providing technical assistance to LGUs that will decide to expand their renewable energy initiatives beyond the pilot phase.
As agreed under the MOU, the Provincial Government is encouraged to promote the installation of rooftop solar PVs on public roofs to power establishments and households, adoption of electric vehicles, use of energy-efficient LED lighting, implementation and streamlining of net metering rules, and strengthening energy conservation practices across communities.
With the region-wide partnership and by investing in renewable energy and energy-efficient systems, the Provincial Government strives to achieve greater energy security, lower operational costs, and help mitigate climate change through clean energy solutions, while redirecting its conserved resources toward essential programs and services.
