TAGUIG CITY - Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Thursday (6 August) called for the ‘conscious consumption’ of energy, especially as the country plunges into recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a virtual press conference, Secretary Cusi said that while the country may have enough power supply from the recent economic slowdown, household power consumption is expected to increase, with most people staying at home to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

“I am appealing to our consumers; let us be mindful of our power consumption habits in this pandemic time," Secretary Cusi said, adding that conscious consumption will also help keep electricity bills under control. 

He further stated that regulating power consumption would contribute to effective household budget management, as a lot of Filipinos face the threat of losing, or may have already lost their jobs and sources of income, because of the pandemic. 

“As the nation battles the economic recession, there is a need to be conscious of our expenditures. Napakahalaga ng pagtitipid para sa ating lahat sa mga panahong ito,” the Energy Chief pointed out. 

Reviewing the energy consumption trend in the past months,Secretary Cusi said that while the industrial/commercial use of electricity has gone down, the number of kilowatt hour (KWH) among residential users really went up. 

“So, it doesn’t mean that because we have all the supply, pwede tayo magkaroon ng luxury of not controlling our electricity use” he said.

To help consumers manage their electricity consumption, Secretary Cusi said the DOE will soon roll out an energy efficiency communications campaign through the DOE-Public Affairs Office.

###