Palace cuts airconditioning in 4 buildings

Leadership by example?

Malacañang announced yesterday that as part of the government’s austerity measures, the centralized air-conditioning system in at least four buildings there will be switched off at certain hours of the day.

In a faxed message sent to Malacañang reporters, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said that centralized air-conditioning will be shut down at Mabini Hall, Kalayaan Hall and the Tahanan ng Masa from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. of the following day.

It was also learned that the New Executive Building, which houses the offices of the executive secretary, the presidential advisers and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, will soon be included in the energy savings program while other buildings are also being evaluated.

Although the order calls for a cut in centralized air-conditioning, several of the offices in the affected buildings actually have stand-alone air-conditioners, which negate the need for a centralized system.

The Kalayaan Hall houses the Malacañang Museum on the second floor and the Office of the Undersecretary for Press and the press working area on the first floor.

The Mabini Hall, on the other hand, houses the offices of the staff members of the executive secretary, a number of presidential advisers, the records section, a Landbank branch, administrative office of the President, the legal division, and an office of the Department of Budget and Management.

The Tahanan ng Masa is what used to be the Presidential Action Center which handles the concerns and requests of citizens.

Not included in the list are the Malacañang Palace where the President holds office, the Premier Guest House and the Arlegui Building where the press secretary holds office.

Since openly admitting that the country is facing a fiscal crisis, President Arroyo has implemented a number of austerity measures in all government offices.

She has also ordered the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to reduce the number of vehicles in her security convoy. The usual snacks offered during meetings at the Palace have also been reduced to either coffee or tea.

The President also called for the active participation of the people in the austerity program by supporting the "carless day campaign," which means leaving the car at home once a week in addition to the existing "color coding" scheme being enforced by the Metro Manila Development Authority.

In a press statement, Malacañang said the energy conservation drive was geared at cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices and contributing to environmental protection.

A day after issuing the order outlining the austerity program, the President embarked on a state visit to China with several members of her family in tow.

Although Malacañang has defended the inclusion of the President’s daughters-in-law and granddaughters in Mrs. Arroyo’s entourage by saying that they paid for their own trip, critics of the administration argued that the point is what it symbolizes to the people at this time of austerity.