By Jean Duron-Abangan

Davao City (20 February) -- Aside from ensuring power supply, saving power is being counted as a vital measure to take this dry season, especially in Mindanao where power is largely drawn from hydro sources.

Speaking during Power Stakeholders Meeting at the Grand Regal Hotel, Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan shared energy-saving measures.

Marasigan said the national government is implementing the Government Energy Management Program which requires local government units to use airconditioning units for only six hours.

Though at a voluntary basis, Marasigan encouraged households to also do their part of helping save energy and efficiently use power of their appliances by turning them off when not in use.

He also pointed it as an important energy-saving measure to unplug appliances when not in use and not merely turn them off.

Marasigan also encouraged business entities to go for prudent use of escalators and elevators.

"We can use the stairs and that's a lot healthier," he said.

Aside from suggesting industries to optimize use of electrical system by operating during non-peak hours, Marasigan also asked them to use their embedded generators or back-up power supply during peak hours from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

While people in cold countries seek warmer temperatures at 25 degrees centigrade, Filipinos can also settle a comfortable cool at 25 degrees as well, because setting thermostat at a much lower temperature would mean higher demand for power.

He also found it wise to repair leaks and keep cool temperature at its right flow to save power.

He recommended to use compact fluorescent lamps, reduce heights of lightings to a much lower level to maximize power use, and to turn off lights at parks and on streets except when public security is at stake.