Metro Manila, Philippines – As tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt global oil supply and drive up fuel prices, the government is moving to cut energy consumption across state offices.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, March 3, ordered national government agencies to conserve energy and urged the public to adopt similar measures.
“We have given instruction to all government offices to find ways to save on energy,” Marcos said during a Palace press conference attended by Cabinet members.
“Panawagan ko na rin ito sa taong-bayan. Maghanap tayo ng paraan upang mabawasan ang ating paggamit ng lahat ng mga sources of energy natin,” he added.
[Translation: This is also my appeal to the public. Let us find ways to reduce our use of energy sources.]
Marcos said he remains hopeful that the conflict will not drag on, while assuring the public that the government has prepared measures to cushion its potential impact on the Philippine economy.
“We are still hoping, and we are still praying that this doesn’t last too long. And I hope and pray that our people will remain safe and that we will be able to weather this very difficult storm that has become global in scope,” he said.
“Kaya marami tayong hinahanda kung ang ating panalangin ay hindi mapagbigyan at talagang patuloy pa rin ang labanan. Marami naman tayong mga interventions,” he added.
[Translation: We are preparing a lot of contingency measures should the crisis drag on. We have a lot of interventions]
The president said the government has ensured adequate supply of oil and basic commodities and put in place interventions to mitigate possible price increases.
“Kagaya ng sabi ko, sapat naman ang supply natin. Ngunit baka sakali, ito ay kinakailanganin nating gawin ito upang mabawasan nga ang pagbayad dahil tataas nga ang presyo. At hindi lamang sana sa government offices but we have issued a directive to all the government offices to find ways to save energy in every ways,” Marcos said.
[Translation: As I said, our supply is sufficient. But if necessary, we may have to do this to reduce spending because prices will rise. And not only in government offices — we have issued a directive to all government offices to find ways to save energy in every way.]
He encouraged the public to adopt more efficient transport practices and reduce fuel consumption.
“We encourage the use of public transport, you know, private vehicles. Punuin naman ninyo ‘yung sasakyan ninyo. Huwag ‘yung iisang tao lang ang gumagamit,” he said.
[Translation: We encourage the use of public transport. For private vehicles, please fill your cars — don’t let just one person use them.]
Marcos said the government will issue additional guidelines and public service announcements to promote energy conservation.
