They are told to sharply cut power and fuel consumption as the country grapples with rising oil prices and long-term supply.
On Monday, March 30, Malacañang has rolled out sweeping energy austerity measures covering all government agencies.
As directed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said compliance is mandatory, stressing that the directive applies to the entire bureaucracy, including state-run corporations.
Under the directive, government offices are required to limit electricity use, including adjusting air-conditioning levels and reducing non-essential lighting.
Fuel consumption is also being tightly controlled, with most government vehicles ordered off the roads, with exemption being made only those used in public safety and health services.
Recto added that the administration is pushing for immediate and measurable reductions in consumption across all agencies, as the government order was also designed to deliver quick savings.
Furthermore, he said that even modest adjustments in daily operations could result in significant reductions in overall energy use.
The austerity program also covers preparations for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits this year.
The acting ES said activities tied to the meetings have been scaled down, with spending trimmed and non-essential events scrapped, stressing that the government is deliberately shifting away from ceremonial excess toward more focused, results-driven engagements.
Recto said the President’s order signals a decisive shift toward curbing demand, with authorities having already begun enforcing the policy as energy monitors having inspected more than 1,000 offices in the first week alone.
During these inspections, he said, focus was made on air-conditioning systems, lighting, and the use of office equipment to ensure adherence to the new rules.
The directive comes a week into the declaration of the state of national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110, which has also issued guidelines to government agencies in terms of response and measures to be taken.
Moreover, prior to that, the executive branch has already shifted to a four-day workweek schedule in a bid to lessen the electricity and fuel consumption.