MALACAÑANG imposed sweeping energy conservation measures across all state offices, sharply limiting electricity use and taking most government vehicles off the road as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. moved to curb fuel demand amid rising global oil prices.
Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the directive, which took effect immediately, marked a “decisive shift” toward austerity and demand management for the entire bureaucracy, including government-owned and controlled corporations.
Major Philippine business groups have backed government efforts to cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis, noting that volatile global oil prices pose serious risks to economic stability and consumer welfare, prompting both government and private sector action.
In a joint statement, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Federation of Philippine Industries, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry underscored the need to maintain stable interest rates and reduce non-fuel costs to prevent spikes in basic commodity prices.
At the House, Speaker Faustino Dy III directed a series of joint committee hearings to consolidate government action and craft a comprehensive legislative response to the escalating crisis, focusing on immediate relief, economic stability, and long-term resilience.
Dy said the joint hearings—to be conducted during the session break after Holy Week—will be led by a cluster of committees covering critical sectors affected by the crisis, including energy, food security, labor, transportation, and economic management.
According to Recto, the energy conservation policy complements the financial assistance programs for sectors affected by the oil price surge, while reinforcing a nationwide push to reduce consumption.
He said energy monitors have started inspecting more than 1,000 government offices to ensure proper use of lighting, air-conditioning systems and office equipment.
Under the directive, agencies are required to scale down electricity consumption by adjusting cooling systems, minimizing non-essential lighting and limiting equipment use.
Fuel consumption is also being tightly controlled, with most government vehicles restricted to official functions. Exemptions apply only to vehicles used for public safety and health services.
Austerity measures also apply to preparations for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summits, Recto said, with officials scaling back activities, trimming expenses, and canceling non-essential events in favor of more results-driven engagements.
As this developed, business groups have committed to adopting energy conservation measures across corporate operations, optimizing logistics through flexible work arrangements to reduce fuel demand, and promoting sustainable practices among employees.
They also pledged to accelerate investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power, to lessen dependence on imported fuel and enhance long-term energy security.
For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday presented the proposed guidelines for a carpooling program to address the continuing increase in oil prices, adding that it expects to release the final guidelines after Holy Week.
According to MMDA chairman Don Artes, individuals with private cars may enroll in the carpooling program, while companies may have their own shuttle service for employees.
All authorized vehicles must have a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) special permit or official QR code and company-identification marking.
Under the program, a point-to-point system will be implemented where one pick-up and one drop-off point will be approved, with no roadside loading or unloading.
Trips will also have limited hours: once in the morning (6 to 9 a.m.) and once in the evening (5 to 9 p.m.), to avoid direct competition with other public transportation.
“Our goal is to make daily trips accessible, convenient, and comfortable for commuters. This could also become a prototype model for other locations in the country,” LTFRB Asec. Vigor Mendoza II said, adding that the program will not add to the vehicular volume since existing units will be used.
