DA to impose energy-saving measures on fuel, energy consumption

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

ENERGY-SAVING MEASURES. Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa says the DA will implement measures to conserve energy and fuel consumption during a press conference on Wednesday (March 4, 2026). He said the agency may even consider a work-from-home arrangement for its personnel in extreme events or prolonged tensions in the Middle East. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it will implement energy-saving measures to cut fuel and energy consumption.

This came after the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC) advised all government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) to cut fuel consumption by at least 10 percent, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to cushion the impact of looming global crude price hikes amid the tension in the Middle East.

“Magkakaroon na ng pagtitipid din ang DA, malaki ‘yung gastusin natin (The DA will impose energy saving measures, we have big expenses), the DA is one of the biggest bureaucracies,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a press conference.

De Mesa said energy-conservation measures will be observed down to the offices on-the-ground.

“We have so many regional field offices at marami ring sasakyan. So, lahat ng pwedeng pagtitipid, gagawin namin (and we have many vehicles. So, we will do all energy-saving measures that we can do),” he said.

Besides energy-cutting measures, the agriculture official also underscored a possible consideration of a work-from-home arrangement.

“In extreme events, pwedeng i-konsidera kung talagang ma-prolong uli ang problema. One way para makatipid, that can be possible na magkaroon ng ganung arrangement (that can be considered if the problem will be prolonged. That’s one way to save, it is possible to have that kind of arrangement),” de Mesa said.

Earlier, President Marcos said the administration is open to exploring a four-day work week in government offices as part of its energy-saving measures.