The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered all 142 villages to implement strict energy-saving measures—aimed at reducing costs, stabilizing supply, and protecting communities from the ripple effects of the ongoing crisis. In a memorandum circular, Belmonte said the villages were mandated to cut their monthly electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent while ensuring that frontline services remained fast, efficient, and uninterrupted. “The effects of global instability are already being felt at the community level,” Belmonte said. “Concerned barangay authorities in the city must act decisively—reducing energy use while continuing to deliver responsive and reliable services to our people,” the city chief executive said. To meet targets, the villages are required to enforce several measures, including the use of air conditioning units from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., keeping temperatures at 24 degrees Celsius and switching off non-essential lighting, including a lights-off period from 12 p.m. –1 p.m. In the same directive, village officials must also make sure that power is turned off in unused spaces, personal appliances are banned within barangay facilities and unnecessary travel, among others, is prohibited. Beyond internal operations, the villages are also directed to help residents lower their own energy costs by maximizing city programs such as the QCity Bus ‘Libreng Sakay’ (free ride) and the QC E-Services Platform, which provide accessible, efficient alternatives for mobility and government transactions. In related development, Belmonte issued an executive order, calling businesses and civil society organizations to adopt similar energy-saving practices and improve fuel efficiency through trip consolidation and smarter operations. “Private sector partners are likewise encouraged to support food rescue and redistribution efforts and assist in price and supply monitoring under the Quezon City Price Coordinating Council,” the city chief executive said. To ensure effective implementation, the city’s Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department and the Business Permits and Licensing Department will provide guidance and technical support to organizations ready to take part, she added.
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