The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS), together with Power Watch Negros Advocates (PWNA), and the newly formed Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN) had solidified their forces to confront the issues of economic fallout in the Philippines due to the escalation of the war in the Middle East.
Wennie Sancho, president of ACCESS, said the economic fallout is a pressing concern. With oil prices skyrocketing, the cost of living is bound to rise that would cause economy strangulation for all consumers. The peso is weakening making imports more expensive affecting businesses that relies on foreign goods. Remittances from the Middle East, a lifeline for many Filipino families, could dwindle.
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS), Power Watch Negros Advocates (PWNA) and the Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN), has consolidated their forces urging the government to implement the “Tipid Energia” with the objective to promote energy efficiency and conservation program among households and businesses to reduce energy consumption and mitigate the impact of rising energy costs, he said.
Sancho is spearheading the movement for the consumers with the support of ACNN to hold a public awareness program in social media by giving Energy Efficiency Tips, such as switching to LED bulbs, turning off appliances when not in use, and using energy efficient appliances. Energy audits should be implemented for households and businesses to identify energy inefficiencies and provide recommendations for improvements.
In partnership with utility companies like Negros Power, NONECO and NOCECO, LGU’s and other community organizations, ACCESS-CNN consumer groups will hold consumers education and awareness programs in collaboration with schools and businesses organizations to integrate energy conservation programs into daily practices. The target audiences are households, businesses, schools and government offices, he said.
The CEAP program is based on the concept that “simple changes can make a big difference because energy conservation is a collective responsibility,” Sancho said.
“The rising oil prices are putting pressure on our wallets but energy conservation programs can make a difference together. By conserving energy, we can reduce our reliance on imported oil and help stabilize energy costs. The ACCESS-ACNN tandem program on energy conservation program is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to our country’s economic resilience,” he said.
Sancho stressed “imagine if every Filipino household and business in the Philippines reduced energy consumption by just 10 percent. The impact would be significant. We can save money on our electricity bills, reduce the strain on our power grid and support our economy in this challenging times. Let’s join forces, small actions count together. Let us show our collective strength in the face of global challenges.”*
