Vida clamps down against wasteful travel

Department of Justice Secretary Frederick Vida on Monday called on employees of the DoJ and their families to help lead a department-wide push for energy conservation as global oil prices continue to rise amid tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement, Vida urged DoJ personnel to adopt energy-saving practices not only in their offices but also at home, saying government workers should set an example in managing resources during a period of potential energy strain.

“Bring this spirit of stewardship to your families. In times of crisis, no action is too small to spark big change,” Vida said.

The appeal follows a directive from Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for government agencies to adopt efficiency measures in response to rising fuel costs linked to instability in the Middle East.

To reduce fuel consumption and electricity use, the DoJ has introduced several operational changes, including shifting to a four-day onsite workweek beginning 9 March.

Under the arrangement, DoJ personnel report to offices from Monday to Thursday, while Fridays are designated as mandatory work-from-home days.

The department said the schedule adjustment could result in an estimated 20,142 kilowatt-hours of energy savings per month.

Vida also ordered stricter limits on official travel and encouraged the use of online platforms for meetings and coordination to further cut fuel consumption and reduce the agency’s carbon footprint.

He added that if employees and their families adopt similar conservation habits at home, the collective effort across DoJ offices and attached agencies could reduce energy use by 20 percent or more.