City, province revives belt-tightening measures

By Erly C. Garcia

The city and provincial governments of Iloilo are set to revive their respective belt tightening measures following Pres. Arroyo's call to conserve energy amid threats of a looming energy crisis.

Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada said Gov. Niel Tupas, Sr. will issue an executive order this week detailing energy conservation measures to be implemented in all provincial government offices.

Mejorada said the conservation measures would cover the use of electrical appliances, lights, and vehicles belonging to the provincial government.

The use of the centralized airconditioning system and elevators at the new Capitol will also likely be regulated, said Ramie Salcedo, chief of the General Services Office.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas announced last week that he would re-implement two executive orders he issued late last year in answer to government's call for energy conservation.

Executive Order No. 38 outlines fuel and energy conservation measures in city government offices and Executive Order No. 45 outlines cost-cutting measures in the barangays.

EO 38 regulates the use of airconditioning units in various city government offices which should only be used from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The lights and other electrical appliances, on the other hand, should only be used from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and shut off during lunch break.

EO 35, on the other hand, regulates the use of barangay gyms with lights at night.

Treñas appealed to city government employees and barangay officials concerned to cooperate and do their share in the government's energy conservation measures.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday gave her Cabinet specific tasks in energy conservation.

Arroyo enjoined the government agencies to "deal with the energy problem with responsible governance."

Stressing that the government should act locally and globally, the President directed the Departments of Foreign Affairs and on Energy to exert all diplomatic efforts to either get cheaper oil or enter into more stable supply arrangements.

She also instructed, among others, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla to pursue the plan for reverting to the four-day workweek and finish consulting with the business sector and the bureaucracy.

The President would coordinate with Lotilla in following through all the energy conservation measures that have been lined up, especially the fuel rationing among government agencies and state-owned corporations, universities and colleges.