Odilao pushes for energy-saving measures

CEBU, Philippines - Even if he is no longer chairman on the council committee on Environment, Talisay City Councilor Bernard Odilao is set to file two motions this Tuesday urging the public to practice energy-saving measures, even days before Earth Hour, which is set on Saturday.

Odilao’s Proposed Resolutions 2010-11-1 and 2010-11-2 have already been calendared by the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary for Tuesday’s session.

The second-term councilor used to head the committee on Environment, until majority of the council members, on their session last Tuesday, decided to strip themselves of their committee chairmanship and leadership in favor of their campaign duties.

It is also a wait-and-see session this Tuesday, as all proposals will have to undergo the scrutiny of Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, declared as the chairman of the council committee of the Whole.

It has already been three Tuesdays since the body had no proper session, following what City Councilor Arturo Bas had earlier described as a “political pot that is hot and broiling.”

Among those badly affected by this hot political scenario was Councilor Shirley Belleza, whose three major committees and her being a majority leader were all stripped from her.

But if all goes well in the council next week, Odilao’s two proposals along with other proposed city ordinances will finally be deliberated, after being bumped off for three weeks already.

Odilao’s Resolution 2010-11-1 is a measure “encouraging” all city hall officials and employees “to show support for Earth Hour,” a world-wide campaign to save on energy by turning off all lights for one hour this Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Odilao said in his proposal that Saturday is a weekend, city hall can still be a part of this global event by adapting ways to conserve fuel and electricity from March 22-26.

“Whereas, the issue of Climate Crisis (Climate Change) is one of the major motivation of promoting Earth Hour 2010, to create awareness for the people of the world about our present predicament and how to unite in taking steps to counter its ill effects,” read the proposed resolution.

Odilao reasoned that the conservation of fuel of the city hall’s vehicles and for power production are among the many ways wherein “we can alleviate the present condition of the Earth, along with the reforesting of our forests, cleaning our air and seas, etc.”

His second resolution also urges all the households, private and public establishments of Talisay “to support” the Earth Hour program by switching off the lights for one hour this Saturday, saying that “this simple act if done collectively can significantly save power consumption and could lead to more ideas for meaningful unified actions against climate change.

The country was ranked number 1 in terms of public participation among other countries that participated in the activity; hence, Odilao said it is best to maintain that record. – Liv G. Campo   (FREEMAN NEWS)