DOE encourages power consumers to join weekly power-saving activity

MANILA – Power consumers may help save electricity to address oil supply issues due to the Middle East conflict by joining the hour-long Oras Natin sa Efficiency (ONE) from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting on Saturday.

The weekly activity is among the programs of the Department of Energy (DOE) targeted to reduce electricity use after citing gains from the annual Earth Hour, DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said in an interview over Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Friday.

“In the current state of national emergency, ONE is aimed to encourage our citizens to be part of the solution,” Aquino said.

He said about 145 megawatts were saved during the Earth Hour last March 28, enough to power approximately one million households.

He said turning off and unplugging appliances not being used is a big help to address unnecessary usage.

Aquino expressed hope that more consumers would join the weekly activity to help reduce consumption.“It is not only the government that will implement this. We hope to bring participants from the private sector and cause-oriented groups in the coming days,” he added.