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Thursday, September 01, 2005
Business chamber proposes energy program
AMID rising world oil prices, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is finalizing an energy program that will be submitted to the government in October, in time for the 31st Philippine Business Conference (PBC).
PCCI honorary chairman Miguel Varela said a consultation of PCCI member-companies is underway so that the implementation of energy-saving mechanisms will be standardized. Some measures that Varela cited include minimal use of the cooling system in malls and business establishments and the use of fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs.
Varela said they will ask the support of local banks in acquiring additional capitalization to execute the energy conservation measures.
Meanwhile, the government may not seem to get the nod of the private sector on a proposal to re-implement the four-day workweek both in the private and public sectors.
"We tried it already before and there wasn't much good response from the private sector. It will not be good for the employees since if there's no work, there's no pay. It may work in the public sector but it doesn't necessarily mean that it will work on the private sector," Varela said.
Former Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Carlos Co said the four-day workweek would not have much impact on energy conservation. Co explained that 10 hours of work in a day for four days and eight hours of work in a day for five days both require 40 hours of work. The four-day workweek is also less convenient "because one does not have to return the next Monday to finish the transaction if it has not been done on a Thursday."
Even Vice President Noli de Castro admitted that the four-day workweek may not be feasible in other industries. He called on the private sector though to start working on its energy conservation mechanisms.
Energy-related concerns will be part of discussions during the PBC in October where industry leaders are expected to provide solutions and recommendations on the looming energy crisis. (PR)
(September 1, 2005 issue)
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