BukSU Takes Bold Step Towards Sustainability with DOE-Led Energy Efficiency Audit

Earth Day 2025 at BukSU: Advancing Smart Energy for a Sustainable Campus
Bukidnon State University (BukSU) commenced its first tranche of comprehensive energy efficiency audit in close collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) on April 22, 2025, at the 2^nd Floor, Conference Room, Finance Building.

An audit of Office Policy, Best Practices for Electricity Conservation, and Best Practices for Fuel Conservation was led by DOE Supervising Science Research Specialist Jorge Vincent R. Bitoon and Senior Science Research Specialist Sir Roland C. Basco.

Bitoon clearly articulated the DOE team’s primary goal: “to provide BukSU with expert assistance in achieving energy efficiency gains, conduct a thorough and objective evaluation of current energy usage, and deliver practical and implementable recommendations for tangible improvements.”

Vice President for Administration and Finance Mr. Dante S. Victoria, Jr., the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Officer, expressed the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership, education, and public service, particularly in the context of energy efficiency and resource management.

“As leaders, educators, and public servants, we are entrusted not only with authority but more importantly with responsibility. The choices we make today, how we manage our energy, our consumption, and our resources, reflect the kind of service we offer to our communities and future generations. Energy efficiency is no longer optional; it is essential, at least for BukSU,” Victoria, Jr. said.

“It is fixed to our commitment to reduce waste, to conserve, and model good practices that our students and the wider community can emulate,” he added.

Joining the audit were BukSU Unit/Office heads, composed of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer for Administrative Division; General Services Unit; Environmental, Health and Safety Services; Motorpool Section; Information and Communications Technology and Services Unit; Supply and Property Management Unit; and Project Management Unit.

DOE has already been conducting energy audits across approximately 8,000 diverse government agencies and entities nationwide.

“The data and insights gleaned from this audit will be fundamental in developing a set of targeted and actionable recommendations tailor-made to BukSU’s specific needs and circumstances. These recommendations are expected to encompass strategies for technological upgrades, behavioral changes, and policy adjustments aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing the university’s carbon footprint,” Bitoon said.

BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol expressed that the outcomes of this energy efficiency audit held potential capacity for BukSU to foster a more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious future for Bukidnon State University, setting a positive example for other institutions in the region and beyond.

BukSU Impasugong underwent the same energy conservation audit as the main campus. This on-site inspection aimed to evaluate the Impasugong campus’s dedication to creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient environment. The audit involved a thorough examination of lighting and overall energy consumption, underscoring the campus’s active initiatives in energy saving and electricity reduction. (BukSU-Information Unit)