Manila: Efforts to cut electricity and fuel use by up to 20 percent across government agencies are gaining ground as authorities push conservation measures amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in a briefing Monday, said the Department of Energy (DOE) has audited about 196 government offices for compliance with Memorandum Circular 114, issued by Malaca±ang on March 6, and most were found compliant with the directive. "Many of our government offices are already following that," she stated.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garin mentioned that the DOE itself has shifted to a four-day workweek and adopted energy-saving measures, including energy-efficient lighting, setting air-conditioning thermostats at 24 degrees Celsius, and turning off lights and computers when not in use. During the same briefing, DOE Director Patrick Aquino, who led the assessment of government agencies' electricity and fuel use, said almost 90 percent of the agencies assessed since last week are complying with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive.

Aquino highlighted that the shift to work-from-home arrangements is a major contributor to the government's energy-saving target. "We've seen savings increase beyond the 10 percent. We will be providing a regular update to the Office of the President on the progress, but we can confirm that once the agencies shift to work-from-home, compressed work-week and observe these practices, we can see that this will generate more than 10 percent," he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Energy Secretary Garin also called for public action in conserving energy. She urged motorists to regularly check their vehicles to ensure fuel efficiency, carpool when possible, and avoid unnecessary travel. For households, she advised setting air-conditioning units to around 24 degrees Celsius, turning off lights when not in use, and prioritizing electric cooking appliances instead of cooking gas.

Garin assured the public that domestic fuel supply will last until the end of April, and possibly until May if consumers remain mindful of their energy use. She added that the DOE is coordinating with fuel companies to monitor their orders and is also engaging with other governments that can supply fuel to the Philippines.