One hour, one action to save energy
Published Jun 3, 2026 06:00 am
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Updated Jun 2, 2026 09:06 pm
It takes small, everyday actions to keep the darkness at bay, a sentiment that echoes the impact of kindness and love found in community efforts as well as individual actions.
The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with SM Supermalls, officially launched the O.N.E Oras Natin sa Efficiency campaign at the SM Mall of Asia Globe. The campaign calls for a nationwide initiative encouraging Filipinos to switch off non-essential lights and appliances every Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Backed by Executive Order No. 110, the campaign seeks to strengthen energy security and promote responsible energy use through a simple but unified weekly habit.
Image of the Mall of Asia Globe with the O.N.E campaign lit up. (Photo taken by Sean Fernando)
The ceremonial lighting of the MOA Globe, led by Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin alongside officials of SM Supermalls, served as a highly visible call for collective participation. Against the backdrop of the Manila Bay skyline, the launch underscored the campaign’s central message: sustainability is achieved not only through large-scale infrastructure but also through the daily choices of ordinary people.
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin delivers her keynote speech. (Photo by Sean Fernando)
“Energy security is not achieved by government alone. It is built daily by millions of Filipinos making responsible choices in their homes, communities, and businesses,” Garin said during the launch. “Small actions, when multiplied nationwide, become a real power resource.”
The O.N.E. Campaign encourages households, businesses, and institutions to take part in practical energy-saving measures such as turning off unnecessary lights and unplugging devices left on standby. The designated hour also promotes spending time with loved ones and strengthening relationships free from screen distractions.
While the campaign focuses on one hour each week, officials emphasized that the potential impact is far-reaching. During Earth Hour 2026, the country recorded a reduction of 145.43 megawatts in electricity demand in just one hour—roughly equivalent to the output of a mid-sized power plant. Sustained weekly participation at a similar level could generate substantial annual energy savings while helping ease pressure on the country’s power grid.
SM Supermalls, one of the campaign’s lead partners, committed to switching off non-essential lights and systems across all its malls nationwide during the designated hour every Saturday. The initiative builds on the company’s broader sustainability efforts, including LED lighting upgrades, smart cooling systems, and electric vehicle charging stations installed across its mall network.
From left: Joaquin L. San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; Director Patrick T. Aquino of the Department of Energy’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau; Assistant Secretary Mandy Romero; Pasay City Mayor Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano; Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin; Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, vice president for mall operations of SM Supermalls; Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan of the Department of Energy; Bella Belen; and Pauline Gaston attend the launch of the O.N.E. Oras Natin sa Efficiency campaign. (Photo by Sean Fernando)
Public figures and advocates also joined the launch to help amplify the campaign’s message of shared responsibility. Among those present were actor Enzo Pineda, Miss Earth Air 2012 Stefany Stephanowitz, entrepreneur and actor Benj Sadac, volleyball star Bella Belen, lifestyle influencer Pauline Gaston, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, and Nicole Cordoves.
At its core, the O.N.E. Campaign is less about a single hour of darkness and more about building a culture of conscious energy use. In an era shaped by rising energy demand and climate challenges, the campaign aims to remind Filipinos that sustainability begins not with grand gestures, but with simple actions repeated consistently—as a nation united for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.