Consumers are being encouraged to reduce electricity use through a weekly one-hour conservation initiative as the government responds to possible energy pressures linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said the program, called Oras Natin sa Efficiency, or ONE, will run every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting this week.
Energy officials said the initiative builds on gains from the annual Earth Hour campaign, which they cited as evidence that coordinated reductions in consumption can ease demand on the grid.
DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino said the effort was designed to mobilize the public amid what he described as a national emergency situation affecting energy planning.
He said the program aimed to encourage households and establishments to take part in voluntary electricity conservation measures alongside government efforts.
Aquino noted that about 145 megawatts of power were saved during Earth Hour on March 28, an amount he said could supply roughly one million homes.
He also urged consumers to switch off and unplug unused appliances as a simple but effective way to cut unnecessary electricity consumption.
The DOE said it hoped to expand participation beyond households, adding that private sector groups and advocacy organizations were expected to join in the coming weeks.