Sarangani marks CMW with energy conservation drive

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 16, 2014) – The Consumer Welfare Month (CMW) kicked off in Sarangani with a series of activities geared towards energy conservation and safety measures with the Department of Energy (DOE) hosting this year’s month-long celebration.

With the theme “Sapat na Impormasyon: Susi sa Wastong Paggamit ng Enerhiya,” Delia Sy of DOE Mindanao Field Office said the department has been conducting a chain of activities aimed at assisting, educating and empowering consumers to instill vigilance against unsafe petroleum products practices.

DOE’s hosting of the Consumer Welfare Month, she said,  would highlight their aggressive campaign on the use of “alternative fuels’ safe and correct practices in the downstream oil industry and energy efficiency and conservation as a way of life” thru holding of symposia which are among the lined-up activities consumers could expect from this month’s celebration.

Sy said the energy sector should continue to work hard to support and sustain this unprecedented economic growth and development “to avoid recurrence of brownouts” that have been happening in Mindanao.

Lamenting on this, she then appealed for consumers to apply energy conservation not only in homes but in work places as well.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, on the other hand, said using the renewable power potential of the Philippines would likely address issues on power shortage. In the Capitol, street lights are already solar powered as he also revealed a forthcoming plan of installing solar panels in the Capitol which Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao is currently scrutinizing at the level of the legislative branch.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry Sarangani provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso reported that usual monitoring of prices would still be conducted in support to the consumers’ right to choose over quality products.

CWM is held every month of October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 and spearheaded by the National Consumer Affairs Council as backed by Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” to improve the management, coordination and effectiveness of the nation’s consumer programs.(Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)