• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The adoption of energy-saving measures by the Negros Occidental provincial government in all facilities has significantly reduced its electricity consumption, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Friday, March 6.
In 2025, the amount of power energy consumption dropped by P11 million to P139 million, from P150 million in 2024.
Diaz noted that monthly power bill averaging P15 million dropped to P700,000 after the province installed solar panel systems at the Provincial Capitol, Negros Residences, and food terminal last September.
The provincial government is also set to put up solar power installations for the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Lorenzo D. Zayco Memorial District Hospital in Kabankalan City, and Negros Cyber Center in Bacolod City.
Officials at the Engineering, Design, and Development Office and other managed facilities reported monthly savings of around P300,000 each.
Diaz said power waste has also been minimized with the improvement of the 20-year-old wiring system at the Provincial Capitol.
The old setup was plagued by unsafe cut-and-splice connections that caused overheating and fire alarms, he said.
In the wake of the increase in the prices of petroleum products prompted by the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson reminded Capitol offices to be circumspect and conscious in the usage of government vehicles.
On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all government agencies to implement energy-saving measures and reduce electricity consumption and fuel costs by 10 to 20 percent.
Some offices in the Executive Department will implement a temporary four-day work week beginning March 9.
The President, however, said government offices that provide emergency and frontline services are not included in the four-day work week scheme.
Marcos Jr. also temporarily banned non-essential trips and activities in government offices. | GB
