THE initiative taken by the leadership of Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan of Sto. Tomas City in Batangas – my father’s home province – was worth-emulating in the wake of the national government’s call for the implementation of energy conservation measures – triggered by the unabated increase in fuel costs due to the ongoing Middle East war.
Marasigan has simply assured his constituents of uninterrupted delivery of government service following the local government’s partnership with SM City Sto. Tomas where it allows the former to conduct its Friday operations inside the shopping establishment.
Lauding the support shown by the mall management, Marasigan told Good Riddance that this would effectively ensure a non-stop delivery of basic services while the city government stands to save costs in electricity at the city hall.
“In support of the alternative work arrangement and energy conservation protocols of the national government, the city government has partnered with SM City Sto. Tomas for an uninterrupted government service to the residents.”
“The partnership program aims to lessen energy use across all city hall departments and offices to achieve a measurable conservation target without compromising the delivery of basic services to the people,” Marasigan reiterated.
He expressed hope that the alternative work arrangement program would encourage more ‘Tomasinos’ to avail of the city government services while buying home necessities at the same time.
Since SM City can only accommodate frontline employees due to its limited space, non-client interacting city hall personnel, however, are tasked to do community work to stay productive, Marasigan said.
He likewise directed city personnel to limit the use of government service vehicles and encouraged employees to practice carpooling to save gasoline.
Similarly, air-conditioning systems at city hall buildings would be operational only from 9 a. m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and set at 24 degrees Celsius to manage excessive use of power, he added.
The city’s alternative work arrangement and energy conservation protocols have catered to a large number of clients mostly mallgoers and are expected to contribute in saving energy much lower than the usual consumption.
