Pasay homes compete for lowest power bill

It’s a race to the bottom—and the most energy-efficient lifestyle.

To help mitigate the effects of climate change, the Pasay City government is challenging residents to significantly reduce power consumption in the next nine months.

Under the program dubbed “Electric-Friendly Lifestyle,” some 150 households from the city’s 201 barangays have joined a contest to reduce their electricity bills from March 11 until Dec. 2. The last day of the contest falls on the city’s 150th founding anniversary.

Mayor Antonino Calixto said the program hopes to transform the city into an “environment-responsive community” apart from making it “the country’s travel city.”

“There are many ways to conserve electricity and it’s not only about turning off the lights or the air-conditioning system when you leave your house or office,” Calixto said in a statement. “Through this program, we are increasing awareness about an energy-efficient lifestyle and care for the environment.”

Cristy Eshmawi of the Pasay Solid Waste Management Office said 150 household-participants from the city’s 201 Barangays will regularly submit their electricity bills to her office.

The household with the highest decline in kilowatt consumption during the program duration will be named the winner during the city’s 150th anniversary celebration on Dec. 2.

A prize still to be determined by City Hall awaits the winner, according to public information officer Helen Encarnacion.

This is the first time the city government holding such a competition, which if successful will be expanded to cover business establishments and even large companies based in Pasay, Eshmawi said. Niña P. Calleja