NextGen Day

Ralph Recto, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, requested President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday to launch a nationwide energy conservation campaign to reduce the government’s rising fuel and utility costs, which, if left uncontrolled, could total PHP100 billion annually.

The seasoned legislator from Batangas claimed that before the pandemic “shut the lights off” in public buildings, the national, local government units (LGUs), and government-owned and -controlled organizations (GOCCs) had combined power, water, and gas expenses of PHP43.2 billion in 2019.

He noted that on top of this, the government spent PHP47.5 billion on “fuel, oil, and lubricants” that year.

Recto said in a statement that whether or not inflation is on the rise, President Marcos Jr. should restart an improved version of his father’s ‘Enercon campaign’ from the 1970s. Without conservation, that would amount to up to PHP100 billion annually. “Kung walang pagtitipid, sisipa ‘yan ng mahigit PHP100 billion kada taon.”

But he said that if the government could save 10% through the Enercon campaign, PHP9 billion would be freed up, which could be used to pay for hospital medications.

Recto stated that the Enercon campaign must be “encompassing” with “economics and the environment” as its primary motivators if it is to be successful.

For the public to support it, he suggested framing it as a way to save money and the environment simultaneously. A four-day workweek, as suggested by the finance secretary, would only be one part of a larger national framework.

Recto, however, said that in order to protect crucial services, the Enercon campaign’s parameters should be properly set forth by a Palace order.

“You don’t reduce the number of military and police patrols. But, there is a mechanism for petrol coupons that allows you to make purchases even when they are privately held (But the gas coupon system in which even private vehicles can avail of should be stopped). Runs for ambulances ought to be exempt. Hospitals shouldn’t be cut because they’re necessary, he added, adding that no cuts should be made. Is that joke about the thermostat police in the list of opisina still true? Pwede, kasi (Regarding the joke that states that offices require thermostat police? You don’t need Arctic temperatures to work effectively, so you can do that.

Recto urged the President to read the records in the presidential library on previous energy conservation campaigns carried out by his father, the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., and that of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in order to gain a better understanding of how to implement the campaign.

Under the leadership of a top-notch energy team, Marcos Sr. began an “Enercon campaign” from the demand side while developing plants on the supply side when the country was hit by the global oil crunch in the 1970s.

When global oil prices rose during her administration, Arroyo responded by issuing Administrative Order (AO) 103, which instructed government buildings to cut their costs for fuel, electricity, and other utilities by 10%.

The Government Energy Management Program was institutionalized by AO 110, which came after it.

“(But) President Marcos should launch it now to familiarize (government) offices before summer sets in, when an increase in air conditioner use, low water levels in hydroelectric dams, and distribution lines trip-offs caused by high heat index combine to produce power outages,” added Recto.

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