MANILA – The House Committee on Energy has approved a substitute bill seeking to reduce government electricity expenditures by mandating the development and utilization of renewable energy systems in all government buildings and facilities.

The panel, chaired by Palawan Rep. Jose C. Alvarez, approved the measure on Tuesday.

The substitute bill consolidates House Bills 458, 1261, 2804, 3040, 3126, 3667, 3942, 4138, 4601, 5090, and 5094 authored by Reps. Crispin Diego “Ping” Remulla; Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro; Ferdinand Alexander Marcos; Paolo Henry Marcoleta; JB Bernos; Dennis “Tom” Hernandez; Aniela Bianca Tolentino; Lani Revilla, Bryan Revilla, and Ramon Jolo Revilla III; Salvador Pleyto; Benjamin Agarao Jr.; and Cheeno Miguel Almario, respectively.

Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Marcos said he is pushing for House Bill 2804 as intensified efforts to harness and advance renewable energy sources “are critical in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and essential in addressing the escalating costs and finite nature of fossil-based energy sources.”

Agarao’s proposed measure seeks to institutionalize and scale up the public sector’s shift to renewable energy.

Under his bill, all national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) would be mandated to source a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable energy, with the share increasing over time.

He said the government should lead the transition to clean energy.

“By acting now to green our own electricity consumption, the government will save taxpayers’ money in the long run (every peso saved on power is a peso available for vital public services), create local jobs in the renewables sector, and fulfill our moral obligation to combat climate change,” Agarao said.

The substitute bill was referred to the Committee on Appropriations to ensure the availability of resources for its funding provisions.