Bill requiring solar powered gov’t offices filed

A LAWMAKER wants government offices to start shifting to solar power to cut electricity cost and promote renewable energy use.   

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos filed House Bill No. 7625, seeking the installation of solar energy facilities in all government buildings and offices. 

It is imperative that we further pursue and promote renewable energy sources. This will not only avert a possible global climate catastrophe but will also address the problem of expensive and exhaustible fossil-based energy sources,Mr. Marcos, son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., said in his explanatory note. 

All government agencies, with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Energy department, will be mandated to set up social energy infrastructure and mechanisms in their respective buildings and offices. 

If enacted into law, solar energy facilities should initially supply at least 10% of the electric power requirements in government structures in the first year of implementation. Utilization will be increased annually for five years, by then providing 50% of the requirement.   

Funding for the program will be sourced from the national budget. Beatriz Marie D. Cruz