Tanudan LGU pushes strict energy management with ordinance that penalizes department heads and employees who violate it

Tabuk City, Kalinga – In a bid to enforce accountability in government spending, the Sangguniang Bayan of Tanudan is pushing for stricter implementation of energy management measures, including proposed penalties for department heads and employees who willfully violate the ordinance.

The proposed measure, titled the “Tanudan Sustainable Energy Ordinance,” seeks to establish a program focused on reducing energy consumption without compromising the quality of public service. It also mandates the use of energy-efficient systems, regular energy audits, and the monitoring of electricity consumption.

The ordinance comes amid concerns over rising fuel and energy costs in municipal operations, as well as the need to ensure that public funds are used efficiently.

The draft further provides for the creation of a Municipal Sustainable Energy Committee once the measure is enacted. The committee will be tasked with consolidating and summarizing reports submitted by department heads for review by the Sangguniang Bayan.

During the public hearing, government officials and employees discussed the provisions of the draft ordinance and offered inputs, including concerns over the lack of implementing rules and regulations, as well as the absence of clearly defined membership for the energy committee.

Some participants also raised issues regarding the monitoring of energy consumption, noting that a single energy meter currently serves a building housing several offices.

Under the proposed ordinance, department heads and employees who fail to comply with energy management standards may be subjected to administrative disciplinary actions in accordance with civil service laws.

According to members of the Sangguniang Bayan, the ordinance is expected to curb unnecessary energy consumption in government facilities, reduce operational costs, and enable the municipality to redirect savings to essential public services and development programs.