CEBU, Philippines - Due to the scarcity of power supply, the Cebu City Council appeals to all establishments in the city to minimize the use of Christmas lights this holiday season to help conserve electricity.
In a resolution passed during Friday’s regular session, councilor Noel Wenceslao encouraged households and establishments to limit the period they put on their Christmas lights and lanterns from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. only.
He also encouraged the public to use energy efficient bulbs to help save energy.
“Christmas season is considered one of the longest holidays, manifest with a month long colorful and lively decorations in households, also in business establishments. With the aim to make one’s residence and establishments more attractive, flooding of Christmas lights can be seen which may add up to the problem on random power shortage,” the resolution reads.
Wenceslao believes that these simple energy saving practices can already do so much for the city.
He also asked the assistance of the Department of Energy and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in devising ways and means to encourage the people to minimize their use of Christmas lights.
Power shortage earlier prompted the council to cut the budget appropriation for its Christmas Lighting Project from original budget of P5 million to only P1 million.
The Christmas Lighting Project is aimed to light the major city streets this Christmas so city residents will be able to feel the spirit of the yuletide season especially that most have no means to celebrate Christmas.
Since the P5 million was reduced to P1 million only, the city tried to request sponsorship from the Visayan Electric Company to shoulder the electricity consumption of the Christmas lights from December 1 until January 1.
However, the city received no response from VECO until now. (FREEMAN)