November, 19 2025
WWF-Philippines held the Cool and Solar initiative Multi-Stakeholder Event at the New World Hotel Makati. WWF-Philippines/Ana Chavez
The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard collective well-being is driving a global rethinking of how humanity powers its cities. In the Philippines, this call for transformation took center stage as the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) convened “Fostering Local Urban Partnerships for an Energy-Efficient Future” on November 6, 2025. The forum brought together local government units (LGUs), national agencies, academe, civil-society organizations, and private sector partners to accelerate climate action through efficient cooling and rooftop solar solutions.
Championing Local Leadership
The morning session set the tone for collaboration and continuity as WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio reaffirmed the organization’s mission to champion sustainable cities and expressed gratitude to the local partners that made the journey possible. “On behalf of the WWF team, I would like to thank you for your presence and the collective support you've shown over the past 2 years of implementation of the cool and solar project. Your time and your commitment made this project meaningful and impactful,” Custodio expressed.
She lauded the efforts of partner LGUs (San Fernando City, La Union; Ormoc City, Leyte; and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte), for advancing local action: from passing an energy code in San Fernando to establishing solar incentives in Ormoc and expanding green spaces in Dipolog. As Custodio emphasized, the Cool and Solar Project has spent the past two years “working with key partner cities and emphasizing the pivotal role of local governments in addressing the threats of climate change.”
These achievements, Custodio noted, exemplify how cities can lead the transition to sustainability from the ground up. Looking ahead, Custodio encouraged participants to view the milestone not as a conclusion but as a springboard for deeper collaboration. “I would like you to think of this not as an ending but as a time to pull together all the different ingredients gathered in the past couple of years in order to accelerate our climate action, whether that's risk identification and reduction, our response efforts, and most certainly in investing in long-term sustainable solutions.”
Building Energy-Efficient Cities
Setting the critical context, Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, Head of the Climate & Energy Programme Unit, delivered the talk on “Unlocking the Power of Energy Efficiency,” stressing that energy efficiency is not merely a technical fix, but a cornerstone of sustainable development and a direct pathway to achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). She noted that since the conceptualization of the Cool & Solar Initiative (CSI), WWF-Philippines had been focused on “how we can further build on relationships that we work with,” highlighting the importance of partnership-driven implementation. Atty. Ibay outlined four actions cities can pursue: rethink urban planning, optimize building envelopes, procure green products and services, and empower citizens through education and awareness.
This vision was echoed by Energy Project Officer Cathlyn Genoring, who presented the background of WWF’s Cool & Solar Initiative (CSI). “Half of the world’s population actually lives or resides in the cities,” she stated, stressing that urban areas consume 75% of the world’s energy and emit 70% of global carbon emissions. The CSI project aims to break the cycle of rising temperatures and cooling demands through the “power pair”: scaling up access to efficient cooling systems while catalyzing rooftop solar adoption.
CSI Project Manager Imee Bellen followed with an overview of the initiative’s results. Since its launch in January 2024, CSI has guided partner cities in complying with Republic Act No. 11285, or the Philippine Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. Bellen emphasized that each city’s context must shape its strategy—“magandang mapag-aralan kung ano yung need talaga ng city at paano ma-involve at sino yung tamang tao na mai-involve sa implementation ng project.” Among its milestones are energy audits for key public buildings (the Dipolog City Hall, Ormoc Superdome, and San Fernando City Health and Wellness Center), and capacity-building workshops that trained technical staff to develop Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans (LEECPs). The project also has a major impact engaging the private and academic sectors for awareness-raising.
Governance and the Mandate of Institutionalization
The session culminated in a panel discussion on “Accelerating Local Energy Efficiency Implementation (LGU Compliance & SGLG Criteria),” moderated by Policy Manager Liezl Stuart del Rosario. The panel featured Atty. Maria Rhodora R. Flores of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Ms. Annabel Almaga of the Department of Energy (DoE), and Dr. Mary Jean Ramos, National Energy Efficiency and Coordinating Officer (NEECO). Together, they discussed the governance gaps that hinder the implementation of energy efficiency mandates.
Atty. Flores acknowledged the mounting strain on local governments, citing what she called “assessment fatigue.” She also pointed out that the current indicators are “very comprehensive, very complex, and overwhelming for LGUs.” Still, she reaffirmed that the DILG “fully supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 11285,” emphasizing the agency’s ongoing coordination with DoE to strengthen accountability mechanisms and streamline compliance processes.
From the DoE, Ms. Almaga provided a clear picture of the current state of compliance. “We still have a lot to do,” she admitted, noting that only about 40% of LGUs submit reports under the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP). She added that while “mababa ang compliance ng LGUs—that’s the reality,” roughly 70% of LGUs now have an Energy Efficiency and Conservation office, a positive sign of institutional progress. Almaga also stated that maintaining a Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan is “number one in the criteria for the SGLG,” linking good governance with measurable climate action.
Dr. Ramos highlighted the human and institutional dimensions of these challenges. She identified five recurring issues, communication, coordination, capacity, leadership changes, and commitment, and reminded participants that “establishing plans and offices is only the beginning.” What is needed, she stressed, is “commitment and strategy” to meet the national goal of a 10% reduction in energy consumption.
The open forum that followed echoed a shared sentiment: policies and pilot projects can lay the groundwork, but collective strategy and institutional collaboration must drive the transformation forward. The forum closed with a renewed call for partnership, among cities, agencies, and citizens, to ensure that energy efficiency becomes not just a policy requirement, but a way of life.
Integrating Innovation, Education, and Collaboration
The afternoon plenary session gathered experts from the private sector, policy institutions, international organizations, and civil society to explore how innovation, education, and collaboration can accelerate the Philippines’ transition toward a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.
Mr. Alexander Ablaza, President of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, Inc. (PE2), opened the session with a presentation on “Cooling and Energy Efficiency through the ESCO Business.” Drawing from the experiences of PE2, the Asia-Pacific ESCO Alliance, and the Global ESCO Network, he outlined how performance-based ESCO models allow energy savings without upfront costs. However, he pointed out that policy gaps, financing constraints, and procurement bottlenecks, especially under the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), continue to hinder large-scale implementation. Ablaza called for greater policy alignment, capacity building, and access to performance-based financing to help LGUs and businesses prepare bankable energy projects. “Scaling the ESCO business,” he concluded, “requires coherence between policy, finance, and technology to make energy efficiency our first fuel.”
Ms. Angelica Marie David, Manager for Policy and Research in Energy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), shared ICSC’s grassroots and regional initiatives under the plenary “Driving Collaboration and Innovation in the Power Sector.” Citing ICSC’s partnership in Eastern Visayas following Typhoon Yolanda, David discussed how localized renewable solutions, such as solar panel installations in rural health units and barangay facilities, can strengthen resilience while reducing emissions. “Innovation,” she stressed, “is not just about technology, but about empowering communities to co-create their sustainable energy future.”
The session then shifted to “Harnessing the Power of Nature for Cooling,” presented by Dr. Dina Azhgaliyeva, Senior Economist for Climate Change at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Blending scientific insight with relatable examples, Dr. Azhgaliyeva discussed nature-based and behavior-driven cooling strategies as complementary solutions to conventional air-conditioning systems. She introduced the concept of cool surfaces and reflective coatings, noting that walls absorb about 50% of solar radiation, and that high-rise buildings particularly benefit from reflective treatments that lower indoor temperatures and reduce energy demand. Dr. Azhgaliyeva encouraged participants to explore ADB’s resources on policy frameworks and financing mechanisms for green cooling, stating that “cooling need not come at the cost of energy.”
Ms. Maye Padilla, ESD Project Officer at WWF-Philippines, concluded the session with a talk on “Energy and Education: Understanding the Role of Education in Shaping a Clean-Energy Future.” Padilla emphasized that education is not merely about information, but about cultivating awareness, values, and participation: the foundation for a just and inclusive energy transition. Drawing from the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), she described three dimensions of transformative learning: Head (knowledge and energy literacy), Heart (values and connection with nature), and Hand (action and advocacy). Padilla also stressed that sustainability begins at home, where children learn the real meaning of saving energy.
The speakers echoed one message: that achieving a sustainable energy future requires integration—of policy and practice, innovation and technology, and human values. Through collective action, knowledge sharing, and a steadfast commitment to stewardship, the path toward a resilient, low-carbon Philippines becomes not just a goal, but a shared national journey.
Sustaining Partnership for Greener Cities
City representatives from the Cities of Dipolog, Ormoc, and San Fernando (La Union) shared their progress, exemplifying how data-driven planning, citizen participation, and strategic partnerships transform sustainability goals into tangible action. Recognizing this leadership, WWF-Philippines presented the three CSI Partner Cities with Appreciation Awards for their commitment to building cleaner, greener, and more resilient communities.
In his recorded message, Richard Scotney, Global Energy Efficiency Lead of WWF, extended his gratitude to all sectors involved: the private sector for their innovation and investments, civil society for their advocacy, development institutions for their expertise, and government representatives for shaping policy and vision. He explained that while the CSI project culminates, the momentum continues through WWF’s One Planet Cities Program, encouraging more local governments to join and share their learnings toward a sustainable urban future.
Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, WWF-Philippines’ Climate and Energy Program Head, closed the session that was attended by more than 60 participants representing city governments, NGAs, academe, businesses and CSOs with a message of optimism and continuity: the partnerships and progress built under the initiative will serve as a foundation for future collaboration. Together, she emphasized, we can make Philippine cities greener, cleaner, and livable for all.
By: Julia Mikaela Uy and Ma. Haislee Olimberio
