How Local Governments drive sustainable energy planning in the Philippines

Local Government Units (LGUs) across the Philippines are strengthening their role in shaping the country’s sustainable energy future. Through a three-part webinar series, last may about 400 participants from LGUs, national government agencies, and development partners explored how local governments can translate national energy and climate goals into concrete action.

The webinar series is part of the Sustainable Energy Planning for Local Government Units project, a capacity-building initiative that equips LGUs with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to advance sustainable energy planning.

Sustainable energy planning starts at the local level

Throughout the series, speakers emphasized that the energy transition is not only a national policy agenda but also a local development priority. Reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy affects public welfare, service delivery, resilience, and economic growth, making LGUs key partners in driving implementation on the ground.

In her opening remarks, Local Government Academy Executive Director Thelma T. Vecina highlighted the program’s goal of empowering LGUs to become champions of sustainable energy planning and implementation. Department of the Interior and Local Government undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan stressed that today’s energy decisions will shape the country’s future energy security.

Three webinars on planning, efficiency, and renewable energy

The webinars covered three core topics: sustainable energy planning, energy efficiency and conservation, and renewable energy. Participants discussed the Philippines’ renewable energy targets, practical measures to improve energy efficiency in local governments, and policy instruments supporting renewable energy deployment. Examples included CO₂ inventories, green building standards, solarization programs, Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECPs), rooftop solar, and net metering.

Local examples demonstrate opportunities and challenges

Case studies from Negros Occidental and Barangay General Malvar in Santiago City illustrated how local initiatives can strengthen energy security, improve public services, reduce costs, and lower emissions. At the same time, discussions highlighted the need for continued support, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to help LGUs turn national frameworks into effective local action.

Across all three webinars, one message stood out: LGUs are central to the Philippines’ sustainable energy transition. By integrating energy considerations into local development planning, improving efficiency, and advancing renewable energy projects, local governments can strengthen resilience and support a cleaner and more secure energy future.

Next steps

The next phase of the project will include in-person workshops, the establishment of a network of knowledge partners, and the development of training videos and reference materials. Participants will also gain hands-on experience with tools for planning, reporting, cost-benefit analysis, project identification, and implementation.

SEP4LGUs is funded by the South East Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) which is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). It is implemented by the Reiner Lemoine Institut (RLI) and the Center for Empowerment, Innovation, and Training on Renewable Energy (CentRE), in partnership with the DILG–Local Government Academy (LGA).