Makati City (Philippines) promote Energy Efficient Lighting in public markets

A formal handover of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and fluorescent lamps to market administrators was held on November 21, 2008, an event made possible through the city Caravan project “Palit-Ilaw” meaning ‘change bulbs’.  The project is the fruit of cooperation between Makati City and the Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) on the use and promotion of energy efficient lighting to support the Philippine Efficient Lighting Market Transformation Project (PELMATP).   

PELMATP is a five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  The Project aims to address the barriers on the widespread utilization of energy efficient lighting (EEL) system in the Philippines and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the environment.  

The Palit-Ilaw Caravan Project of Makati City was established with similar aims, which were to enhance and strengthen the city’s energy saving program, its campaign for a healthy environment, and its campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Recently cited as a Climate Resilient City by World Bank – East Asia and the Pacific Region, Makati City aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in 2010 from its 2003 level as part of its commitment to the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign of ICLEI.

Other priority areas targeted for the implementation of the project include the city’s public schools, barangay (village) halls, health centers, and sports and recreational facilities. Aside from the public markets, other public facilities already retrofitted with EELs are the old City Hall and new City Hall buildings.

Other climate change mitigation initiatives of Makati City are solid waste management program, the use of electric jeepney as alternative public transport, and the city’s urban greening project.