ENERGY SAVING. Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino delivers his speech at the kick-off of the energy efficiency and conservation information campaign at SM BF Parañaque in Parañaque City on Wednesday (May 4, 2022). The information campaign is a partnership of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Department of Energy, and SM Supermalls. (PNA photo by Kris Crismundo)
MANILA — The aggressive promotion of energy efficiency and conservation during the Duterte administration has increased the awareness of Filipinos to save energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
To further raise their awareness on energy saving, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), DOE, and SM Supermalls kicked off its energy efficiency and conservation information campaign at SM BF Parañaque Wednesday.
Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino has urged Filipino households to observe efficient use of energy to mitigate the increasing demand by acquiring energy efficient appliances, practicing energy conservation, and integrating renewable energy.
“Our goal is to have sustainable, secure, sufficient, accessible, and reasonably priced energy,” Aquino said. “You are part of ensuring that energy efficiency and conservation will become a way of life for all Filipinos.”
The DOE official added that both public and private sectors have been pursuing initiatives to promote energy efficiency and conservation.
Aquino said for the part of the government, it targets to reduce 10 percent of its electricity use.
“The goal is for the government to shift to more energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED) as well as inverter type for air cooling systems not later than 2027,” he said.
For the country’s largest mall operator, SM Supermalls Corporate Compliance vice president Liza Liserio said SM is committed to continue implementation of programs that will conserve energy and tapping clean energy suppliers for SM malls’ energy needs.
Lighting manufacturer Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. and Japanese air condition producer Daikin also observed a shift of Filipino consumers to energy efficient household appliances.
Firefly marketing director Erik Kristofer Riola shared that the company used to be strong in the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) category, but the firm is now more focused on energy efficient LED.
Daikin has also seen a sustained growth of 25 percent annually in the Philippine market for its split-type air conditioning units, which are energy efficient compared to window-type air conditioning.
For his part, PCOO Undersecretary Kristian Ablan said energy efficiency is the capability of using the same electronics and technologies but consuming less energy that translates to lower electricity bills.
Ablan cited benefits of observing energy efficiency and conservation, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions, reduction on energy consumption that will slow down investment requirements on energy generation and transmission infrastructure, and stabilizing electricity prices.
He also underscored the need to continue the information drive to encourage more Filipinos to shift to energy-saving appliances and practice energy efficiency and conservation.
“In the coming weeks, we will be traveling all over the country and we will be having very similar events, such as this to try to remind our fellow citizens about being energy efficient,” Ablan said. (PNA)
