EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 418 August 13, 1990

DIRECTING THE IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the very fluid political situation in the Middle East brought about by the invasion and subsequent annexation of Kuwait by Iraq and the imposition of a trade embargo against Iraq and Kuwait by the United Nations Security Council has posed a serious concern on the country's fuel supply availability even as it has already put pressure on domestic petroleum product prices;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that measures be adopted now to minimize if not forestall any adverse effect of the supply and price situation on the country's essential economic activities;

WHEREAS, to cushion the effects of increasing oil prices and avoid fuel supply disruption, there is a compelling need for the government and the private sector to undertake a program promoting the judicious use of our energy resources through intensified conservation efforts and efficient utilization thereof;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Sec. 1. All departments, agencies, offices, government-owned and/or controlled corporations, local government units and other government instrumentalities shall reduce their monthly consumption of electricity (in kilowatt-hours) and petroleum products (in liters) by 10% and 5%, respectively, of the consumption during the corresponding month in 1989. A report of compliance shall be submitted not later than the 15th day following the reporting month to the Office of Energy affairs which shall prepare and submit a summary report to the President within five (5) days after the last reporting day. The heads of departments, agencies, offices, corporations, local government units and other government instrumentalities shall designate a senior official in their respective offices as energy conservation officer who shall be responsible for the implementation of this Executive Order as well as the development and implementation of other energy conservation measures.

Sec. 2. All departments, agencies, offices, government-owned and/or controlled corporations, local government units and other government instrumentalities are prohibited from using government vehicles for purposes other than official business: Provided, That in every case, the trip ticket authorizing the use of the vehicle shall be displayed on the windshield or in another conspicuous place on the vehicle: Provided, further, That vehicles used by intelligence and investigative agencies of the government shall not be covered by the foregoing proviso.

The use of government vehicles on Sundays, legal holidays, or out of the regular office hours or outside the route of the officials or employees authorized to use them, or by any person other than such officials or employees, shall unless properly authorized, be prima facie evidence of violation of this Section in the administrative proceeding against the officials or employees responsible for such violation.

For the purpose of this Section, vehicles owned by the government-owned or controlled corporations are deemed government vehicles.

Sec. 3. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Energy Affairs shall, in consultation with appropriate trade and industry associations, develop voluntary energy conservation programs for their respective members which shall target levels of reduction in electricity and petroleum products consumption similar to those imposed on government agencies and corporations and pinpoint responsibility for monitoring and reporting of performance.

Sec. 4. The Office of Energy Affairs shall require industrial, commercial and transport establishments consuming annually more than one million fuel oil equivalent liters of energy including liquid fuels and electricity to submit an energy conservation program which shall target a 5% cutback in fuel consumption and a 10% reduction in electricity usage. Compliance with these targets shall be incorporated in the quarterly reports being submitted by these establishments to the Office of Energy Affairs.

Sec. 5. The Energy Conservation Inter-Agency Committee established under Executive Order No. 412 dated July 13, 1990 shall continue to implement energy conservation measures provided under National Emergency Memorandum Order No. 17, S. of 1990, except for the Daylight Saving Time, which measures include but not limited to:

a) Limiting the use of neon and electric lights for advertisements from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

b) Regulation of use of air-conditioning units particularly during lunch breaks;

c) Regulation of use of lights;

d) Limiting the opening of business of supermarkets, department stores and movie houses; and

e) Extending the energy conservation campaign to the residential sector.

Sec. 6. The Department of National Defense shall enforce strictly Batas Pambansa Blg. 33 which prohibits among others, speed contests and rallies involving mainly the use of motor vehicles, motor-driven watercraft or aircraft utilizing petroleum-derived fuels, including car and motorcycle rallies and drag racing; and sky-diving and water skiing.

Sec. 7. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall, in coordination with appropriate law enforcement agencies, enforce strictly the smoke belching law for all vehicles. Smoke belching caused by improper vehicle maintenance results in very inefficient use of fuel not to mention its adverse impact on the environment.

Sec. 8. The Department of Transportation and Communication shall adopt reasonable measures restricting the use of motor vehicle during peak hours of the day and during Sundays and legal holidays, or their use for certain destinations or over certain streets during stated hours, so as to conserve fuel.

For this purpose, the Department of Transportation and Communication shall hold periodic consultation with the various sectors to be affected by the aforesaid measures.

Sec. 9. The Office of the Press Secretary shall launch a nationwide information campaign on energy conservation through the media. It shall coordinate with all forms of media to ensure accurate and current dissemination of information on the oil situation, its implications and the course of actions they entail specifying the type of energy conservation measures that can be adapted at the family, community and industry levels.

Sec. 10. All departments, agencies, corporations, local government units and instrumentalities of the government are directed to cooperate fully in this national energy conservation effort.

Sec. 11. The Office of the Executive Secretary shall monitor the implementation of the foregoing measures.

Sec. 12. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 13th day of August, nineteen hundred and ninety. lawphi1.net


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