By Lane Afable, News Editor
Amid rising global fuel pressures and power demands, the Quezon City Government has ordered all 142 barangays to immediately implement strict energy-saving measures—aimed at reducing costs, stabilizing supply, and protecting communities from the ripple effects of the ongoing crisis.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2026, barangays are mandated to cut their monthly electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10%, while ensuring that frontline services remain fast, efficient, and uninterrupted.
“The effects of global instability are already being felt at the community level,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. “Barangays must act decisively—reducing energy use while continuing to deliver responsive and reliable services to our people.”
To meet targets, barangays are required to enforce the following measures:
• Limit air conditioning use to 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and maintain temperatures at 24°C
• Switch off non-essential lighting, including a lights-off period from 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
• Turn off electricity in unused spaces
• Shift to LED and energy-efficient fixtures
• Ban personal appliances within barangay facilities
• Reduce unnecessary travel and adopt video conferencing as the default
Beyond internal operations, barangays are also directed to help residents lower their own energy costs by maximizing city programs such as the QCity Bus Libreng Sakay and the QC E-Services Platform, which provide accessible, efficient alternatives for mobility and government transactions.
City calls on private sector, civil society to act
Through Executive Order No. 7, Series of 2026, the city is extending the call for action to businesses and civil society organizations—urging them to adopt similar energy-saving practices and improve fuel efficiency through trip consolidation and smarter operations.
Private sector partners are likewise encouraged to support food rescue and redistribution efforts and assist in price and supply monitoring under the Quezon City Price Coordinating Council.
To ensure effective implementation, the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) and the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) will provide guidance and technical support to organizations ready to take part.
As energy pressures continue to mount, Quezon City is mobilizing every sector—starting at the barangay level—to turn conservation into collective action.
