UMVA has learned that private establishments, especially shopping malls, have collectively slashed almost ₱1 billion from their electricity bills through aggressive energy‑saving measures.
Department of Energy officials say the surge in savings stems from a nationwide push for efficiency as the power grid strains under relentless demand.
“We’re now close to almost ₱1 billion in total since we’ve encouraged them,” said Patrick T. Aquino, director of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau, highlighting the rapid impact of the campaign.
In March, the agency issued a stark advisory urging commercial, industrial, and transport sectors to adopt demand‑side management tactics. The guidelines range from setting air‑conditioning units no lower than 24 °C in common areas to maximizing natural daylight and installing rooftop solar panels.
To turn policy into habit, the department rolled out the “Oras Natin sa Efficiency” (O.N.E.) initiative, urging households, businesses, and communities to switch off non‑essential lights and unplug idle appliances every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Every month, big malls are already contributing their savings. So, it also helps the bottom line further,” Aquino added, noting that the collective effort is now a financial boon for retailers.
Current figures reveal that 212 malls across the country have trimmed more than 65,000 megawatt‑hours of electricity—equivalent to roughly ₱785 million in cost reductions, based on an estimated ₱12 per kilowatt‑hour.
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin emphasized that the movement is about embedding conservation into daily practice, not just a fleeting response to crisis.
“Sustained weekly participation at a similar level could translate into significant annual energy savings, while helping ease pressure on the grid during periods of high demand,” she explained.
The Philippines has been rattled by repeated yellow and red alerts as thin power reserves clash with soaring consumption, especially in the Visayas where yellow warnings have lingered for three weeks.
System data as of May 27 shows available grid capacity at 2,682 MW against a peak demand of 2,415 MW, underscoring the urgency of continued, coordinated conservation efforts.
