P.5 B allotted for light bulb conversion

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo launched yesterday a P500-million program that aims to jump-start a massive replacement of electricity-hungry incandescent bulbs in households and work places with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs.

Mrs. Arroyo led representatives from the youth, government, non-government organizations and religious sectors in the symbolic lighting of CFLs at the launching of “Palit Ilaw” or change light bulb program at the Philippine International Convention Center.

CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 10 times longer.

Mrs. Arroyo said the program would start with the replacement of incandescent bulbs with CFLs in government offices, public schools, state colleges and universities, government hospitals, and public areas.

She said funding for the project came from value-added tax revenues from increased oil prices.

She said “Palit Ilaw” is part of the Department of Energy’s SWITCH program aimed at mobilizing Filipinos in reducing energy and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent this year.

The program will be launched in the provinces in the coming days so that “all Filipinos would be aware of the importance of energy conservation,” she said.

“National fuel conservation is now entrenched as a first principle of statecraft. All government agencies have to reduce their energy bills by 10 percent,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

She also announced the government is now ready to shift into high gear its bio-fuel energy program as the first step to end the country’s dependence on imported oil.

She made the announcement at the Forum on Alternative Fuel for Public Transport at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

The President said she will inspect starting July 21 the 1,800 hectares of lands across the country planted to jatropha under the government’s jatropha propagation program.

To date, 900 hectares have been planted to jatropha in Tamlang Valley in Negros Oriental; 500 hectares in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; 200 hectares in Camarines Sur; 100 hectares in General Santos City; 60 hectares in Ara, Palawan; 40 hectares in Cagayan de Oro City; 14 hectares in Bohol; and five hectares in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

She said because of the energy efficiency programs initiated by her administration, the country is now 56 percent energy self-sufficient, the highest energy self-sufficiency rating in its history.

She said that aside from alternative sources of fuel, the government will continue to promote the use of natural gas for transport; geothermal steam, wind mills like those already operational in Batanes and Bangui, Ilocos Sur, and solar power for electricity.

“Let me assure our people of one thing, your government shall continue to harness all the resources at our command to help ordinary Filipino families pressured by cost and calamity at the same time. We continue to build a better tomorrow,” she said.