Finding the right balance between meeting sustainability mandates, keeping cooling solutions affordable for Filipino consumers, and protecting local manufacturing jobs is tougher than ever. That’s exactly why our Chairman and President, Raul Joseph A. Concepcion, recently initiated a dialogue with Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Hon. Sharon Garin. His goal was to ensure that as the DOE maps out the Philippines’ long-term energy priorities, everyday consumers aren’t left paying the price.
The primary goal of the meeting was to ensure that the voice of local manufacturing and Filipino consumers is heard as the government maps out the Philippines’ long-term energy priorities. During the dialogue, our Chairman emphasized that true progress requires a careful balance.
While CIC fully supports the DOE’s push for higher energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and lower electricity costs for consumers, these environmental goals must go hand-in-hand with protecting domestic industries and Filipino consumers.
What this means to us?
As an industrial pioneer, we are not merely reacting to new mandates, we are stepping up. By sharing our technical data and on-the-ground insights, we are partnering with the Department of Energy to develop regulations using locally grounded computation methodologies.
This proactive approach ensures that national energy policies keep locally manufactured cooling solutions affordable, champion fair competition, and protect our entire manufacturing ecosystem, along with the thousands of local jobs that depend on it.
During the dialogue, our Chairman emphasized that true progress requires a careful balance. While CIC fully supports the DOE’s push for higher energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and lower electricity costs for consumers, these environmental goals must go hand-in-hand with protecting domestic industries.
He highlighted the incredible work done across our facilities, from local manufacturing and R&D to the continuous expansion of our service networks nationwide. As we prepare for the upcoming inauguration of our new Condura manufacturing facility in the coming months, this major expansion stands as a powerful testament to our long-term commitment to the country and the thousands of Filipino workers we employ.
A key focus of the discussion was the technical side of energy regulations, particularly the Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) methodology. Our Chairman explained to the DOE that while we champion progressive Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the rules must be calibrated to the Philippines’ unique tropical climate and usage patterns.
Currently, adopting foreign performance standards built for temperate climates without adjusting them for local realities could create unintended hurdles. It risks making affordable, locally manufactured cooling solutions—like our core window-type air conditioners—non-viable. By advocating for locally grounded computation methodologies, CIC aims to ensure fair competition, protect the local manufacturing ecosystem, and safeguard jobs that depend on it.
To ensure that energy policies strengthen rather than weaken local capabilities, the Chairman proposed a structured, data-driven partnership with the DOE. This includes:
-Establishing technical working groups between the DOE and industry leaders.
-Conducting transparent impact assessments before accelerating regulations.
-Creating phased compliance timelines that are aligned with our regional neighbors in Southeast Asia.
Through this dialogue, our Chairman reaffirmed our long-standing commitment to empowering our workforce and providing consumers with affordable, high-quality solutions. By partnering with the DOE, we aim to build a sustainable future that works for everyone. Always with the Filipino in mind.