News of the power rate increase imposed by not just the Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative but all power producers throughout the country has forced not a few to make some changes in order to adjust to the rate increase.
This is nothing new, of course. The situation was like this around the same time last year. Only, the rates are somewhat higher now than they were last year. And as if this was not enough, the cost of fuel has gone up as well.
As a people, Filipinos have been resilient in weathering one crisis after another. We’ve heard of energy-saving campaigns even from way back. Many of our readers may even remember the Energy Crisis that gripped the country in the ‘70s, forcing the rationing of gasoline. That would surely count among the lowest times in the economy of our country.
Despite all these hardships, economic growth forecasts have been rosy. The Philippines, along with Peru, is projected to be among the top 16 economies in the world by 2050, according to HSBC and Goldman Sachs, a global investment and banking security firm.
While the forecast is for sunny skies ahead, there are continued habits and happenings around us that may pull us off the track of progress. We see many examples of wastage around us–street lights which remain lighted even during the daytime, unrepaired leaking water pipes or faucets, useless government projects and many more.
Indeed, the challenge is not just for us to save energy. The challenge is to save whatever we could. With the problems besetting many parts of the world today, the situation may get worse before it will get better. So we must be prepared for harder times ahead.
You don’t have to think big. It’s like taking baby steps. Every small step would go a long way.
What will you do today?
