Kalinga State University implements energy-saving measures amid fuel crisis; turns to online learning and Google Meet sessions

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Energy-saving measures are being implemented by Kalinga State University (KSU) as part of province-wide efforts to cope with the ongoing fuel crisis in the country, according to the university’s Finance Director Danilo T. Buen during a meeting of the Provincial Energy Crisis Impact Task Force (PECITF) on Tuesday, April 7, at the Golden Berries Hotel.

Buen, in his report, shared that KSU has shifted to alternative learning methods for some classes to reduce electricity consumption while ensuring continuity of education.

The university official added that the asynchronous mode of learning allows students to attend classes online or work on assigned topics and projects at home, similar to the setup during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We implement didjay asynchronous method of teaching and learning. Didjay ngai online, Google Meet, and then ekkan tayo ti topics wenno projects dagijay students nga adalen ken aramiden da tapno uray nu haan da umay diay eskuelaan, makaadal da latta. So kasla met lang diay inar-aramid tayo ti COVID-19 pandemic—except daguitoy College of Law ta kayat da kanu ti face-to-face,” Buen reported.

Buen also shared that KSU has strengthened its online enrollment and payment systems to limit physical transactions and reduce energy demand within university offices.

“We resort to online involvement. Uray nu adda da balay da, mabalin da ag-enroll idiay Kalinga State University—adda diay website. And then, mabalin da agbayad online, or mabalin da latta idiay bangko, i-refer da lang idiay. Especially advanced studies like master’s degree, doctorate degree, and College of Law. Mabalin da met lang agbayad through GCash,” Buen added.

To further save energy, the KSU official said that seminars and training sessions have been limited and shifted online to reduce energy use and operational costs. Instead of frequent in-person activities, webinars are now being conducted, with group seminars organized to maximize participation while minimizing resource use.

“Then, tapno makatulong tayo agtipid, we limit seminars and training. Agwebinar da latta, maminduwa ti one week. Then, mabalin nga group seminar or agayab kami latta ti maysa nga mangseminar kadakami tapno ma-avail mi didjay at least twice nga seminar ti each employee,” he added.

In addition, strict energy conservation measures are being enforced across offices, including the regulated use of lights, air-conditioning units, and other electrical devices.

“We also implement economic measures tapno agtipid iti kuryente. Each employee, especially daguitoy adda offices, agtipid kami. When not in use, electricity should be turned off. Nu panawam diay computer, off automatically. And then all lights off when not in use. All electric fans are naka-off amin. Aircon, 9 o’clock to 12 off met lang, and 4 o’clock off kasjay tapno makatipid,” Buen concluded.