Caloocan mayor asks residents to save energy

Caloocan Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri has asked city residents to adopt energy conservation measures in their respective homes to help in the government’s efforts to avert crisis brought by the soaring fuel prices. Echiverri said a household’s effort to save energy, no matter how small, would be a big help in the country’s austerity program.He explained that turning off the lights when not needed at night and maximizing  the light coming from the sun during the daytime would be a big help in the energy conservation effort.The mayor said that because of the soaring prices of oil in the world market, the administration may have difficulty replenishing the supply because of the devaluation of the peso.He added the public should maximize the current supply of fuel in order to make the most of the dollar reserve of the country.Among the energy conservation measures that could be adopted are once a week ironing of clothes; car pooling or use of public transportation; and proper scheduling of travel.  Echiverri earlier urged the owners of the lighted billboard advertisements in the city to turn off the lights an hour after midnight in order to save energy.He also prohibited all department heads and city officials, including the police department, fire department and Division of City Schools, from using government vehicles for purposes other than official business.The mayor ordered all offices to refrain from using air conditioning units when adequate ventilation is available.

In cases where air conditioning units are to be used, employees are instructed to turn them on not earlier than 9 a.m. and turn them off not later than 4 p.m.

During lunchbreaks, the cooling system should be switched to "fan mode."

Different business associations and groups in the city were also enjoined to develop voluntary energy conservation programs for their respective establishments.Echiverri enjoined public and private offices in the city to adopt and actively participate in the energy conservation program of the national government.