DOE to adjust work hours, limit aircon temperature to save energy

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — The Department of Energy (DOE) will adjust its work hours and limit the temperature of air conditioning units in its office as part of the Energy Conservation Plan, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Tuesday.

“Umpisahan iyan ng 7 (a.m.), tapos matatapos siya ng 4 (p.m). So, ito iyong daylight saving time, saka sasabayan niya iyong sunrise, so mas maaga siya," he explained.

[Translation: It starts at 7 am and ends at 4 pm. This is daylight saving time which coincides with the sunrise, so they will work early.]

The DOE staff will also work from home every Friday, he added.

The temperature of air conditioning units in the DOE office will be limited to 25 degrees Celcius, Diokno said, citing a study that shows that a large amount of energy can be saved if the setting is steady at this temperature.

"That is one way. Kapag nag-succeed iyong experiment ng DOE na iyon, baka i-adopt ng ibang agency iyon," he added.

[Translation: If DOE’s experiment succeeds, other agencies might adopt this too.]

The DOE’s adjustments are part of the administration’s Energy Conservation Plan, which will be implemented amid the rising cost of power in the world market.

“Napakaimportante na i-address din natin ‘yung energy. Ang isang complaint kasi sa Pilipinas ay napakamahal ng energy cost,” Diokno said.

“Kasi hindi naman tayo makaka-influence sa supply side kung mahal ang presyo ng gasolina sa world market, hindi natin ma-influence iyon, but we can start conserving,” he added.

[Translation: It is important to address energy issues. One complaint is the high cost of energy in the Philippines…We cannot influence the supply side if gas prices in the world market are high, we can’t influence that, but we can start conserving.]

The DOE earlier called for consumers to conserve energy as prices and demand are expected to rise in the coming months.