The Marcos administration’s aggressive energy conservation campaign is delivering substantial results, with over 80 percent of government agencies now compliant with directives to slash fuel and electricity consumption.
In a Palace briefing on Friday, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin announced that the government-wide initiative—launched to mitigate the economic impact of rising fuel prices driven by Middle East tensions—is expected to yield savings of more than 20 percent across the board.
The DOE is setting the pace for the “whole-of-government” approach, reporting a dramatic 50 percent reduction in its own fuel and electricity usage. Key contributors to these results include:
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Operational Shifts: The implementation of a one-day work-from-home (WFH) setup at the DOE alone resulted in 15 percent savings.
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Facility Audits: The DOE has inspected over 500 government buildings, including the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), to ensure strict adherence to lighting and air-conditioning efficiency standards.
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Resource Management: Strategic reductions in official travel and vehicle use to preserve the national petroleum supply. “We are really campaigning for energy efficiency and conservation because we are so dependent on petroleum,” Secretary Garin stated. “If we can save on our lighting and minimize our travel, we can protect our economy and strengthen our energy sovereignty.”
To institutionalize these habits beyond government offices, the DOE is launching a nationwide weekly “Earth Hour” initiative. Starting this month, the department encourages all Filipino households and private businesses to switch off non-essential lights for at least one hour every week.
The goal is to transform energy conservation from a temporary response into a permanent behavioral shift among citizens.
While global oil prices remain volatile due to international conflicts, Secretary Garin assured the public that the country’s fuel supply remains sufficient for at least 50 days. However, she emphasized that reducing domestic consumption is the most effective way to cushion the economy against external shocks.
“It’s a whole-of-country approach,” Garin added. “By working together to reduce our demand, we extend our supply and protect the nation’s financial stability.”
