Philippines
Metro Manila
Sleeping in underwear, walking to work: Filipinos cut comfort to cope with rising prices
Sleeping in underwear, walking to work: Filipinos cut comfort to cope with rising prices
As the Philippines reels from the effects of the oil crisis triggered by conflict in the Middle East, some Filipinos have imposed austerity measures on themselves and their families to cope with rising fuel and commodity prices.
In Muntinlupa City, a resident said she has stopped using an electric fan and now sleeps in her underwear instead.
“Pero pag matutulog, naghuhubad na lang ako para hindi na mag-electric fan (But when I go to sleep, I just take my clothes off so I don't have to use an electric fan),” said alias “Lani.”
Mary Ann, another resident, said she walks to shorter destinations and has asked her children to take public transportation instead of using a car.
“Naglalakad na lang ako pag pupuntang Asian [hospital] & shorter destinations kung walang ibang errands like hatid/sundo ng anak. Pinagko-commute na lang din ang mga anak kung konti lang ang dala nila at maaga pa naman (I just walk when I go to Asian [hospital] & shorter destinations if I don't have other errands like bringing/picking up the kids. I told my kids to commute if they are bringing little things and when it is still early),” she said.
Anthony, a Cavite resident, said he skips merienda, turns off the air-conditioning system of his car, and maintains an 80 km per hour speed.
Lady Ann, a resident of Calamba, Laguna, said they have opted not to go out unless it’s important. They also cook one dish for lunch and dinner.
Sammy, a Las Pinas resident, said he took a bank loan for his net metering.
“Nag-loan ako sa bank for my Solar net metering…zero bill .. buti na lang di ko dinelay .. electric na pati lutuan... LPG for.emergency or better yet 'yong butane na lutuan.. Sulit (I took a loan from the bank for my Solar net metering.. zero bill .. but it's good that I didn't delay .. electric even for cooking... LPG for.emergency or better yet the butane for cooking.. worth it,” he said.
According to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco,) “net-Metering is a program under 2008 RA 9513, the Renewable Energy (RE) Act. It allows customers to install an RE facility within their premises up to a capacity of 100 kW. Any excess electricity not consumed in the home or business is exported to a distribution utility (in this case, Meralco). In return, Meralco compensates customers through credits in their monthly bill.”
Nancy, a Cavite resident, said she walks and is fortunate to be under the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement.
“On my part para makatipid, naglalakad na lang ako palabas ng subdivision pag papasok at pag pauwi. Since may new work na ulit ako, WFH naman ako so malaking tipid talaga and yung para sa transportation allowance, sa groceries na lang mapupunta. Iwas gala na rin kasi pag naka WFH ka, tatamarin ka na rin talaga lumabas especially sa panahon ngayon, bukod sa mainit na, mahal na talaga halos lahat ng bilihin (On my part to save money, I just walk going out of the subdivision when I go to work and come home. Since I have a new job again, I'm WFH so I really save a lot and the transportation allowance, I'll only go to groceries. It’s a way to prevent me from going out because when you're WFH, you will be hesitant to really go out, especially these days, besides the heat, almost everything is really expensive),” she said.
Cris, another Muntinlupa resident, said they will buy an electric vehicle in order to cut down on fuel expenses.
(Pang alternative with pick up, sobrang mahal na ng diesel dati ang isang full tank nasa 4k lang now nasa 10k+ na. Eh 2x a month pafulltank namin so nasa 20k na. Pag EV wala na change oil maintenance, no need motolite battery, libre charge up to 2029. 5 years warranty at 10 s ibang parts (As an alternative for pick-up, diesel is so expensive, a full tank used to be only 4,000 now it's 10,000 plus. Well, we fill up twice a month so it's 20,000 now. With EV, there's no oil change maintenance, no need for motolite battery, free charge up to 2029. Five years warranty and 10 years for other parts),” she said.
The price of a tank of LPG has doubled, with prices going up to P1,566.
