The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to announce by the end of June 2025, the schedule of the 3^rd Round of the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for the selection of Microgrid System Providers (MGSPs) for the initially identified 71 lots covering 167 unserved and underserved areas.

Building on the lessons from the two previous MGSP-CSP, policy and regulatory aspects governing microgrid service operations were enhanced to create a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly environment for interested private investors.  

Foremost, the DOE has promulgated Department Circular No. DC2025-04-0007or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11646 or the Microgrid Systems Act. This revised IRR, which took effect on 13 May 2025, streamlined the CSP procedures, clarified the provisions of the microgrid service contract and the corresponding responsibilities of stakeholders and enhanced incentives for the provision of microgrid service.

Under the revised IRR, the award of a microgrid service area to a provider will automatically qualify the project as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS), enabling concerned entities to fast-track the issuance of necessary permits and licenses. In addition, the Notice of Award will include a Renewable Energy Service Contract (RESC) for the renewable energy components of the microgrid system, subject to the completion of remaining requirements, particularly the submission of proof of possessory rights over the service area.

The DOE is also closely coordinating with distribution utilities (DUs) and relevant government agencies, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Tourism (DOT), and local government units (LGUs), to gather data on the areas to be offered under this CSP, particularly in terms of energy demand and potential.

“This 3^rd Round of MGSP-CSP marks a pivotal step in our push for total electrification,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “By streamlining regulatory procedures, introducing policy innovations, and strengthening coordination across government and the private sector, we are sending a clear signal: the Philippines is ready and open for sustainable microgrid investments. Through these efforts, we aim to empower our most remote communities with clean, reliable, and affordable energy, because energy access is not just a policy objective --- it is a fundamental right.”

The DOE also introduced more flexible contractual terms and exemptions from certain financial obligations under Energy Regulations No. 1-94, which pertain to benefits to host communities, as well as selected obligations under the RESC. These provisions will clearly be articulated in the Notice of Award and formalized in the Microgrid System Provider Service Contract with the National Power Corporation, offering proponents greater security and reduced financial risk.

Through these initiatives, the DOE is determined to create a more enabling environment for microgrid investments, thereby accelerating energy access in the country’s unserved and underserved areas. ###

The Department of Energy (DOE) extends its appreciation to national agencies, local governments and private oil companies, for their strong cooperation and swift response in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to the Island of Samar. The agencies include the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC).

In light of the recently imposed 3-metric ton weight limit on vehicles crossing the San Juanico Bridge, the DOE promptly coordinated with both government and industry stakeholders to implement alternative solutions that address logistical challenges in fuel deliveries to the Island.

As all petroleum deliveries to Samar have traditionally relied on land transport, the new weight restriction effectively bars standard fuel tankers, which typically weigh between 19 to 20 metric tons for a 10,000-liter load, from crossing the bridge. This development has highlighted the urgent need for decisive and innovative logistical measures.

The DOE welcomes the NDRRMC's recent approval to prioritize oil tankers in the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel loading queues. Additionally, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon has assured the DOE that the RORO port in Basey, Samar will be made ready to accommodate fuel shipments, further supporting this critical logistical shift.

To operationalize this priority loading, the DOE, in close coordination with the Petroleum Institute of the Philippines (PIP), will provide the OCD Region VIII with a list of fuel tanker trucks targeted to be transported on Thursday, 29 May 2025, from the Port of Ormoc to the Ports of Maginoo and Calbayog in Samar. This initiative aims to ensure timely and sustained delivery of fuel to key cities and municipalities across the island.

The DOE also acknowledges the valuable support of Insular Oil Corporation, which operates a fuel storage depot in San Isidro, Northern Samar. The Company has agreed to accommodate petroleum deliveries from both major oil companies and independent players, providing an additional layer of supply resilience for the region.

“The DOE remains committed to safeguarding the energy security of Samar and its people. By working hand-in-hand with government agencies and oil industry partners, we are confident in our shared ability to rise above these challenges with unity, urgency, and purpose,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.

Current estimates show that most gasoline stations in Samar maintain a maximum storage capacity of up to two weeks, necessitating regular replenishment every 7 to 14 days. Continuous fuel supply is essential to sustain transportation, economic activities, and most critically, emergency and disaster response operations.

As part of the DOE’s broader energy resilience framework, the Department will continue convening meetings with concerned government agencies, downstream oil industry stakeholders, and private sector partners to optimize fuel logistics, enhancing port infrastructure, and establishing coordinated delivery schedules to maintain stable and secure fuel supply chains. ###

In order to allow the President to have a free hand in reorganizing his Cabinet for the remainder of his term, and to express my full support for his Presidency, I have respectfully submitted my resignation as Secretary of Energy effective upon the President’s acceptance.  

As previously directed by the President, the Department has been reviewing the Administration’s accomplishments in the energy sector thus far and at the same time reviewing the challenges that still need to be addressed.  The mid-term is an excellent opportunity for taking stock and re-energizing the government’s efforts to serve our people better.

We at the Department and its attached agencies are one with the President in working together to realize a future for all Filipinos where energy is accessible and affordable, reliable and resilient, and clean and environmentally sustainable. 

With those clear objectives in mind, the Department wishes to assure the public of its uninterrupted services. As directed by the Office of the President, all officials and staff and attached agencies will continue to perform their functions and carry out their duties without let-up. ###

The Department of Energy (DOE) welcomes the issuance of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2025-047 by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which provides comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act. The Circular, released on 14 May 2025, strengthens the government’s push for sustainable energy use at the local level.

In line with Administrative Order No. 15, series of 2024, which directs the accelerated implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), the DILG Circular mandates Local Government Units (LGUs) to comply with key EEC requirements. These include the designation of an EEC Officer, formulation of a Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan (LEECP), and regular submission of electricity and fuel consumption reports through the GEMP Online System. Additionally, LGUs are encouraged to adopt energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and inverter-type air-conditioning units (ACUs), and to implement practical energy-saving measures in their operations.

The Circular also calls on Local Chief Executives to integrate EEC programs into their local development priorities and to promote a culture of responsible energy use across all government buildings and facilities. This call to action reflects the core principles of Bagong Pilipinas --- a government that is proactive, accountable, and forward-looking --- by encouraging local leaders to adopt sustainable energy practices that support national development goals, climate resilience, and efficient public service delivery.

“We welcome the DILG’s issuance of this Circular as a decisive step toward mainstreaming energy efficiency and conservation at the local level. Under the leadership of Secretary Jonvic Remulla Jr., the DILG continues to demonstrate its commitment to good governance and climate responsiveness. This issuance empowers our LGUs to take a more active role in achieving our national energy efficiency goals, while reinforcing the vital link between sustainable development and accountable energy use,” Energy Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla said.

This latest issuance builds on the broader collaboration between the DOE and DILG, including previous joint initiatives such as the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act and the development of the LGU Energy Code, both aimed at streamlining energy-related processes and promoting regulatory efficiency.

The DOE has remained steadfast in advancing EEC across both national and local levels. Earlier this year, the Department conducted workshops on the formulation of LEECPs for LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR), and the Provinces of Batanes and Iloilo. These workshops equipped EEC officers, focal personnel, and LGU representatives with the knowledge and tools necessary to develop strategic LEECPs aligned with GEMP.

In parallel, the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Bulacan also initiated their own workshops to support their LGUs in formulating LEECPs.

All these workshops recorded a 100% completion rate, with participating LGUs successfully formulating comprehensive LEECPs tailored to enhance energy efficiency and conservation in their respective localities.

The LEECP provides a strategic framework for LGUs to institutionalize EEC measures. It establishes governance structures, policies, and programs that enable LGUs to implement sustainable energy initiatives effectively. The plan also includes mechanisms for continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement to ensure the long-term effectiveness of EEC measures.

By working hand in hand to implement the GEMP and embed energy efficiency as a core component of local governance, the Philippines moves closer to realizing long-term energy security, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

To access a copy of DILG MC No. 2025-047, you may visit https://bit.ly/44Fkvdl. ###

The energy sector, through the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) affirms its full readiness to ensure a stable and reliable power supply and adequate fuel availability nationwide with just one week remaining before the 2025 National and Local Elections. The ETFE is likewise committed to supporting the safe, orderly, and uninterrupted conduct of the elections by safeguarding the integrity of energy services throughout the voting, transmission, and canvassing periods.

Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, Chair of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER), underscored in a press conference today, 05 May 2025, that the energy sector is committed to fulfill its mandate of providing secure and sufficient energy services to the Filipino people, especially during pivotal national events.

“We have taken all necessary steps to support the smooth and credible conduct of the 2025 elections. The Department of Energy (DOE), through the ETFE, stands ready to respond and coordinate with our partners to maintain uninterrupted energy access across the country,” Undersecretary Fuentebella stated.

The ETFE member agencies highlighted during today's press conference its readiness to safeguard the entire energy supply chain. Since the first quarter of the year, the task force has been holding regular coordination meetings with key industry players. These players include the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, National Power Corporation, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Independent Energy Market Operator of the Philippines, National Electrification Administration, National Transmission Corporation, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, generation companies (GenCos), distribution utilities (DUs), electric cooperatives (ECs), the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), and downstream oil industry stakeholders. During these meetings, the ETFE assesses system readiness and implements necessary contingency measures to address potential challenges within the entire energy supply chain.

Public and private energy providers conducted rigorous inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure, including pre-election checks of polling and canvassing centers, particularly the critical areas identified by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
 

In off-grid and remote areas, distribution utilities under the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) carried out line maintenance activities to ensure continuous power supply. The NGCP likewise led inspections and Right-of-Way (ROW) clearing along high-voltage transmission corridors to prevent potential outages.
 

Additionally, the task force assessed the readiness of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems in COMELEC facilities to guarantee the continuity of critical data operations, even in the event of localized disruptions. ETFE representatives remain on standby for rapid deployment during emergencies, supported by comprehensive preparedness and contingency plans.
 

The energy sector remains confident in its ability to sustain reliable power delivery despite the anticipation of peak power demand before, during, and after the election period.
 

“We assure the public that the energy sector is fully prepared to ensure an unimpeded power supply before, during, and after the elections,” Undersecretary Fuentebella affirmed. “Contingency plans are in place, and we are in constant coordination with security agencies to help ensure a smooth and secure election process.”
 

The ETFE is working closely under the supervision of the Commission of Elections with the support of the National Security Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippne National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard.
 

The collective efforts of the ETFE member agencies, including the private sector, highlight the vital role of energy reliability in supporting the democratic process. Through close collaboration, proactive planning, and swift mobilization, the energy sector stands firmly behind COMELEC and the Filipino people in ensuring a credible and orderly 2025 election. ###