President Ferdinand Marcos has directed all government agencies to strictly implement cuts in power and fuel use amid rising oil prices from the Middle East conflict. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized that compliance is mandatory across the bureaucracy. Inspections have already covered over 1,000 offices.
President Marcos issued Memorandum Circular 114 earlier this month, mandating energy conservation measures such as adjusting air-conditioning, reducing non-essential lighting, and grounding most government vehicles except those for public safety and health.
"The policy underscores the President’s message that public officials must set the example, demonstrating restraint and accountability as the nation weathers the energy crisis," Recto said in a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.
Inspections by energy monitors began in the first week, targeting air-conditioning, lighting, and equipment in over 1,000 offices. The measures also include a four-day workweek in some executive offices since March 9 and scaled-back preparations for hosting ASEAN summits.
In an online briefing late Monday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reported fuel inventories lasting 50.94 days as of March 27, up from 45.10 days on March 20. The government has secured 1.042 million barrels of diesel, with shipments from Japan already arriving and more from Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Oman due in April. "We have a supply," Garin said, urging the public to be prudent amid the ongoing Middle East war.
