Under his guidance, Meralco achieved unprecedented milestones, clinching a historic 3-peat Company of the Year title at the IABC Philippine Quill Awards, scoring the only PR Team of the Year trophy bestowed at the Anvil Awards, and securing numerous honors at international and local communication awards.
Manong Joe’s leadership also extends as a respected member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), concurrent with his role as Chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines) where he also served as its President.
Manong Joe is a distinguished awardee of the medallion of honor and scroll of commendation from the University of Manila, owing to his years in public service as a communications professional. He shares his insights through columns in renowned publications, including The Philippine Star’s The Z Factor, and Philippine News Agency’s ESPRESSO MORNINGS.
Dry season in the Philippines has always been synonymous with high temperatures, but in recent years, heat indices have continuously risen to dangerous levels – posing a serious threat to the health and overall wellbeing of our communities.
Dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue, and skin diseases are all more common this time of year, particularly among vulnerable sectors, such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
Staying cool during this time is no longer a matter of comfort but rather a health concern. But as Filipinos turn to longer and more frequent use of cooling appliances, such as air conditioners and electric fans, to cope with the extreme heat, we see energy demand increase accordingly as well, also igniting conversations on energy security.
Based on the latest Meralco data, energy demand typically increases by 20 percent to 33 percent for households during this time of year in comparison with the cooler months of January and February.
While others may view the situation as a choice between well-being and energy security, there are actually various ways to stay cool and energy conscious – starting with energy efficiency.
Embracing energy efficiency doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our health or live in discomfort. Rather, it should be viewed as a way of life to balance personal well-being so we can also care intentionally for our communities and the energy resources we share.
While it is easy to assume that energy security is a matter best left to power generation companies, distribution utilities, policymakers, and the government, the reality is all of us, including ordinary consumers, play a significant role in its achievement – beginning with energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs or avoiding inconvenience. At its core, energy efficiency is a form of bayanihan. It is about sharing the responsibility of safeguarding our energy future.
Households can play an active role in managing demand by practicing energy efficiency while enjoying economic benefits through greater control over their electricity bills.
Among the energy efficiency practices that households can observe are unplugging devices when not in use, refraining from overfilling refrigerators, using natural lighting whenever possible, ironing clothes in bulk, regular cleaning of air conditioner filters and electric fan blades, and optimized temperature settings for air conditioners. Meralco PowerLab studies have shown that setting your air conditioner to 25°C is generally more energy-efficient than lower temperatures while also balancing comfort.
Businesses, too, can contribute to energy security by adopting energy-efficient technologies and participating in demand-side management programs, such as the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to help avoid potential power interruptions at the household level. The ILP is a voluntary demand-side management program that aims to spare households from power interruptions during instances of Red Alert or when the electricity supply is insufficient to meet demand.
In the Meralco franchise area for example, over 100 companies are listed under the ILP equivalent to a de-loading capacity of over 500 MW.
On the part of distribution utilities, securing sufficient power supply and proper maintenance of electric facilities are necessary to ensure continuous power service. Meralco for example has been ramping up its maintenance and upgrading facilities and has secured additional power supply for the dry season as well.
By embracing energy efficiency at home, in the office, and in the community, we can cultivate a culture of responsible energy behavior that benefits us all. We all play a role in shaping our country’s energy security.
Now more than ever, it’s time to be conscious of our energy choices. Let’s embrace energy efficiency not just for our personal benefit but also to support our community and country.
