Gov't agencies in Western Visayas implements 'enercon'
Government agencies in Western Visayas are now implementing energy conservation (enercon) measures following President Arroyo's order to adopt electricity and fuel saving measures.
Enercon practices in some government agencies are: putting off unnecessary lights; minimal use of air-conditioning units and other electrical equipment; and adopting fuel saving measures, like planning trips and use of vehicles.
The local government units were likewise urged to adopt energy conservation measures.
According to Malacañang, there are 4,211,932 units of gasoline-fed vehicles throughout the country. If they were to consume one liter less fuel a day at the current price of gasoline of P52 a liter, the savings would amount to more than P219 million a day, or P6.6 billion a month.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo launched "Pantawid Kuryente: Katas ng VAT" program which aims to give back to the poor the benefits reaped from the implementation of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), specifically from the 12% VAT on petroleum products.
"We were able to set aside P2 billion for the Pantawid Kuryente" – a direct assistance to the poor," "Katas ng VAT para sa masa," President Arroyo said as she stressed that the benefits derived from economics reforms implemented would be invested in physical and human infrastructure.
The President said that four million families that consume a maximum of 100 kilowatt hour a month will benefit through the "Pantawid Kuryente: Katas ng VAT" program. (PIA/T.Villavert)