DOE, SM launch weekly “O.N.E. Hour” to make energy saving a lifestyle
NEWS
5/21/20261 min read
MANILA — The Department of Energy and SM Supermalls on Thursday launched the O.N.E. Hour Challenge (O.N.E.: Oras Natin sa Efficiency), urging households, businesses and malls to switch off nonessential lights and appliances every Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m.
The launch at SM Mall of Asia was led by Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and SM Supermalls officials, with the MOA Globe serving as the campaign’s symbolic centerpiece. The event also featured beauty queens, celebrities, athletes and lifestyle personalities who, the agency said, will help promote the weekly habit.
“Energy saving should not feel like sacrifice. It should become part of how we live—how we care for our homes, our families, and our country,” Garin said. “When public figures, families, malls, and communities move together for one hour every week, conservation becomes more than a campaign. It becomes a lifestyle of responsibility.”
The DOE said the O.N.E. Hour Challenge builds on measurable results from Earth Hour 2026, when electricity demand fell by 145.43 megawatts in one hour. Since the agency urged private establishments to sustain conservation practices, 212 malls have saved more than 51,000 megawatt‑hours, equivalent to about ₱614 million in avoided costs.
The agency recommended simple household measures: switch off nonessential lights, unplug devices on standby, limit screen time and set air conditioners to 24–25 degrees Celsius when use is necessary.
SM Supermalls committed to switching off nonessential lights and systems across its malls nationwide during the designated hour, complementing its wider sustainability work such as LED upgrades, smart cooling systems and EV charging stations.
The DOE said it will hold more activations with Robinsons, Ayala and Megaworld malls from May through June. Through the O.N.E. Hour Challenge, the agency said it aims to make energy efficiency visible, relatable and repeatable — turning a one‑hour weekly action into a national habit that supports energy security and a more mindful Filipino lifestyle.