Tommy asks Nestor to prohibit ‘pabugnaw’ to conserve energy

Local

CEBU City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has recommended the immediate ban on government vehicles idling while parked, calling the practice a waste of taxpayer money as fuel prices continue to rise.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Nestor Archival, Osmeña said that all City Hall personnel using government vehicles must refrain from leaving engines running while vehicles are stationary.

“Mayor Nestor and I agree: especially with the rising price of fuel, doing so is a waste of taxpayer money and will not be tolerated,” he added.

Osmeña said the measure is “effective immediately” although an executive order or a memorandum is yet to be formally issued.

The vice mayor said ambulances and other emergency vehicles will be exempt from the directive when there are valid operational reasons.

However, he stressed that leaving engines running merely to cool down vehicles, commonly referred to as “pabugnaw” will not be accepted as a valid justification.

A formal memorandum or executive order detailing the policy will be issued in the coming days.

Osmeña also encouraged the public to help monitor compliance, asking residents to document violations by recording the vehicle and its license plate and sending the footage to the City Hall hotline through Viber.

The measure, he said, aims to promote efficient fuel use and responsible management of government resources.

“Any personnel found violating this directive shall be dealt with accordingly in accordance with existing rules and regulations,” the letter stated.

Meanwhile, Archival said the city government is also implementing electricity conservation measures in government offices to reduce operational costs.

In a press conference on March 9, the mayor said City Hall departments are being monitored for daily power consumption and encouraged to adopt simple energy-saving practices.

“Dinhi sa city government naa tay department na mag monitor power requirements kada adlaw,” Archival said.

Among the measures being implemented is limiting the use of elevators in City Hall buildings. Archival said some elevators will be switched off earlier in the day while others will start operating later in the morning to reduce power demand.

The mayor also encouraged offices to turn off air-conditioning units earlier than usual.

He said that when he previously served as acting vice mayor, similar measures, such as shutting down air-conditioning units between noon and 1 p.m., helped the city save around P80,000 per month in electricity costs.

“These are small things, but they will count,” Archival said, emphasizing the need for more efficient use of electricity and fuel within the city government.

Under the current practice being promoted at City Hall, offices are encouraged to switch off air-conditioning units by 5 p.m., or as early as 4 p.m. if possible.

Archival added that he had also instructed staff to ensure that air-conditioning units in open corridor areas are turned off by 4 p.m.

The measures come as Cebu City studies additional steps to cut fuel and power consumption, including the possible adoption of a compressed four-day workweek for city employees.

Archival earlier said the city government is still evaluating the proposal and has yet to decide whether to implement it.

For now, the mayor said Cebu City will maintain its regular five-day work schedule while officials assess the potential impact of the policy on government services.

The proposal follows the national government’s push for energy conservation after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the temporary adoption of a four-day workweek in selected executive offices beginning March 9.

The directive, contained in Memorandum Circular No. 114, aims to reduce electricity and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent amid rising global oil prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.(TGP)