This, as the Mandaue City Council mulls an ordinance to develop and promote renewable energy in barangays and city government facilities.
City Councilor Joel Seno, who drafted the proposed law, told SunStar Cebu Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, that the measure aims to reduce the electricity bills of consumers.
The initiative’s funding will come from one-half of one percent of the City’s annual budget appropriations.
Seno noted that the use of renewable energy, such as solar panels, has been proven in some studies to reduce monthly utility bills because solar systems have almost no ongoing fuel or maintenance costs, unlike large centralized power plants used in electric corporations.
He also pointed out that in the aftermath of typhoon Odette in Cebu in 2021, people suffered from the lack of electricity for months due to the destruction of transmission poles and towers, which also increased the prices of primary commodities.
Clean and green
“Most of all, to help the environment breathe again by avoiding it becoming more polluted,” Seno said.
“The use of solar panels/solar power is good for the environment. Solar energy represents the clean, green source of energy and it also reduces carbon footprint. It helps you enjoy cheap electricity throughout the day because the sun doesn’t increase its rates and gives you energy security. Your energy becomes domestic and, as a result, you’re in control of your own bills and energy usage,” he added.
The predominant source of power in Cebu is power plants run by fossil fuels, the burning of which causes greenhouse gas emissions that bring global warming and ocean acidification.
Under the ordinance, the Office of the City Mayor, in coordination with the City Engineer’s Office, Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Department of General Services, shall standardize and streamline the implementation of the law and use government buildings either owned or rented in the installation of rooftop solar projects.
There will also be an Executive Committee on Renewable Energy which will implement policies, plans and programs related to the accelerated development and use of renewable energy resources and technology; as well as conduct research on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy projects for future developments.
The committee will also monitor and evaluate the private and public sectors’ activities on renewable energy resources development and utilization to ensure their compliance.
Under the ordinance, once implemented, Seno said, incentives in line with the City’s investment codes will also be given to private establishments that will abide by the law and put up their solar panels.
The solar panels shall supply at least five percent of the electric power requirements of each government office or building, rented or owned by the City or Barangay, within three years from the ordinance’s effectivity.
It will then be increased by five percent every five years thereafter.
The draft ordinance passed its first reading during the council’s regular session last Feb. 6.