THE Naga City Government will soon be the first local government unit (LGU) in Cebu to be dependent on solar energy.
This after it signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine National Oil Company Renewables Corp. (PNOC-RC) to put up a 100-kilowatt (kw) solar rooftop at City Hall.
Evelyn Paulino, PNOC-RC chairperson, told reporters that this was the first time they initiated a project with an LGU outside of Metro Manila.
As agreed, PNOC-RC will install a 100-kw solar rooftop at City Hall and will replace around 3,921 light bulbs on the offices with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
With the installment of a solar rooftop and replacement of light bulbs with energy-efficient lighting, PNOC-RC officials expect to minimize the city government’s electricity expenses and lessen its carbon footprint.
PNOC-RC is expected to spend at least P8 million for the installation of the solar rooftop and the replacement of lights.
In turn, the city government will pay a monthly amortization within 15 years.
One of the objectives of PNOC is to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 70 percent, which may help prevent climate change.
“We will be essentially reducing carbon dioxide and will be able to reduce pollution and clean the environment with the use of renewable energy,” Paulino added.
In a separate interview, Naga City Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong said the project is advantageous to the City as it can help minimize their electricity expenses.
Chiong said the City often spends P16,000 per month for its electricity at City Hall.
Even though they will spend for the monthly amortization for 15 years, they can still gain a lot from the venture since the solar rooftop has a 25-year-life span, Chiong added.