DOE, legislator give CFLs to Baguio folks

The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with Baguio Congressman Bernardo Vergara, facilitated the distribution of free compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to hundreds of city folks including senior citizens here, Saturday.

The CFL distribution, which is part of the DOE initiatives under the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP), is a nationwide activity that is being held in various part of the country through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with congressional district representatives.

In the ceremonial launching held here at the Chalet Hotel, Vergara and DOE Luzon Field Office Director Efren Balaoing gave two 14 watts CFL each to officials and members of the Blessed Association of Retired Person (BARP) Foundation, one of the leading senior citizens group in the city. Distribution of CFLs to around 400 Baguio citizens followed at the Baguio City hall multi-purpose hall.

Balaoing, in a statement, disclosed that under the project, 3.6 million CFLs will be distributed to 187 congressional districts nationwide, 57 Party List representatives and 17 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional offices.

Under the MOA, each representative will receive 10,000 CFLs for distribution to their respective constituents.

“With the use of CFL, we are expecting a saving of about 63.8 mega watts – deferment of power plants and around 84 MegaWatt Hours of savings which is equivalent to about P828 million. As for the environment, it would help us to save around 47,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission,” Balaoing stressed.

He disclosed that in Cordillera, as of August of this year, there were already 37 awarded hydro-power plant contracts with an aggregate capacity of 800 MWs and five geo-thermal projects with an aggregate capacity of around 260 MWs.

Vergara, in his opening message, expressed the city’s gratitude to the DOE and the administration of President Aquino, for supporting various energy efficiency and CFL projects in the city such as the lighting of Burnham Park and the city hall with CFLs.

Streetlights, which use 450-watt lights, will save 70 percent overnight on electricity if they use fourth-gen LED 120-watt lights, Javier said.

The fourth-gen LED also dissipates up to 97 percent of heat; that’s why you can hold one that’s been lighted for several hours and not get burned. Instead of the fragile glass casing found in CFL and fluorescent lights, the fourth-gen LED uses the tough and solid polycarbonate case that won’t break even if you pound repeatedly on the tubes or bulbs.

“They are recyclable, and the most cost-effective available today. No need to buy a new one for the next 10-20 years,” Uy said.

Both Uy and Javier are staunch advocates of green living. Profits made from this business are very minimal, Uy said. It’s the passion and love for Mother Earth that keeps them going.

Next year, Uy said they will bring in the recycling technology that will safely and properly dispose CFLs and fluorescent lights. The problem with CFL and fluorescent lights in dumpsites is when they get broken—and they usually do—mercury is deposited into the soil and will eventually find its way into our drinking water.