CEBU CITY, Cebu, Dec. 12 (PIA) -- In line with the celebration of the 2022 National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM), the Department of Energy Visayas Field Office urged the public to conserve and be efficient in the utilization of energy to help achieve the country’s goal of energy security.

According to DOE Visayas, it is important for the public to be aware of "Energy Efficiency and Conservation" as it also has an impact on cost reduction and environmental protection.

With the observance of this year’s NECM, the energy department held an information drive and other energy-related advocacy campaigns which aim to educate the public on the importance of conserving energy as well as its economic and environmental implications.

For the observation of the 2022 NECM, DOE Visayas has prepared a total of 15 different activities that include information campaigns and an "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Forum." 

"We call on the public to save energy since it is very important, especially at this time that we are having very high prices of electricity and fuel. And also, we want to have energy security by having multiple sources of energy," said DOE Visayas Regional Director Ricardo  Dela Cruz during the Kapihan sa PIA interview on Dec. 7.

DOE7 said more than 44% of energy sources come from coal, and the government targeted that by 2035, 40% of the energy sources should come from renewable energy.

"For energy conservation, number 1 of course is switch off the lightis f you don't need it and set your thermostat at 24 degrees," said DOE Visayas Chief of Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division Lourdes Arciaga.

DOE Visayas wanted the public to treat the practice of energy conservation as a "way of life" while they also encouraged the energy and private sectors to implement energy-related programs and boost their support in the campaign of "Energy Efficiency and Conservation." 

"Let's make it as a way of life to conserve energy and not only during the month of December. This is because by conserving energy, we can protect the environment, pay less on our energy bills, and contribute to our energy security," said de la Cruz. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)