#GlobalGreen: VSU earns consecutive 5-Star ratings in DOE energy audits, advances in EEE awards 2026

Visayas State University (VSU) continues to strengthen its commitment to energy efficiency and conservation after receiving consecutive 5-star ratings from the Department of Energy (DOE), the highest classification under the DOE’s energy audit framework.

The university’s strong performance began in April 2026, when auditors from the DOE-Visayas Field Office (DOE-VFO) conducted a spot-check energy audit at the VSU Main Campus. The assessment resulted in a 100% compliance rating, equivalent to a 5-star rating, reflecting the university’s compliance with established energy efficiency and conservation requirements.

The following month, VSU underwent its third energy audit, conducted by auditors from the DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau (DOE-EUMB) in partnership with WWC Yellow Bumblebee Corporation. The comprehensive assessment, conducted at the University’s Main campus, resulted in a finding of complete compliance, further demonstrating VSU’s continuing efforts to institutionalize responsible energy management practices.

Building on these accomplishments, VSU was subsequently shortlisted for the Government Entity (GE) category of the Energy Efficiency Excellence (EEE) Awards 2026–Visayas Cluster, under the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) category. The recognition shows the university’s sustained performance and implementation of energy efficiency and conservation initiatives across successive evaluations.

On September 15, 2026, DOE-VFO auditors returned to VSU to conduct another assessment as part of the validation and evaluation of the university’s submission to the EEE Awards. VSU submitted a Full Paper Entry highlighting its best practices in electricity and fuel conservation, as well as other energy efficiency and conservation measures implemented across the university.

Unlike the earlier spot-check audit, the September assessment involved a more comprehensive and in-depth collective audit approach, allowing the evaluators to examine the university’s practices and measures more extensively. As part of the EEE Awards evaluation, the auditors also conducted an on-site assessment of the Institute of Human Kinetics (IHK), which was designated as the building of interest for the evaluation.

The latest assessment once again resulted in a 5-star rating, with VSU obtaining an impressive 95.9% score.

The successive ratings and continued recognition from the DOE underscore VSU’s sustained efforts to promote energy efficiency, conservation, and responsible resource management. More than compliance, these assessments highlight the university’s continuing efforts to integrate energy-conscious practices into its operations and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible campus.

VSU President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes noted that receiving back-to-back 5-star ratings reflects the university's active role in promoting clean energy projects among state universities.

“Receiving consecutive 5-star ratings from the Department of Energy is encouraging because it shows that energy conservation is becoming part of how we manage our University. We have a responsibility to use electricity and fuel wisely, not only to manage our resources well but also to reduce our impact on the environment. As we move forward in the EEE Awards, we will continue finding practical ways to make energy efficiency a daily practice across VSU,” she shared.

With its latest 5-star rating and continued participation in the EEE Awards 2026–Visayas Cluster, VSU remains committed to strengthening its energy management practices and advancing initiatives that support a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient university community.

This article aligns with United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and; SDG 13: Climate Action.

• Next