AN ESTIMATED 4,000 streetlights in Davao City were already converted from sodium to light-emitting diode (LED) lights, a local councilor reported.
Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, committee on energy chairperson, said the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) shifted the city's streetlights in the areas near the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, and some barangays.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in her State of the City Address (Soca) speech in 2018, ordered the conversion of all streetlights in the city into LED lights as part of the city's infrastructure development efforts in ensuring a cost-efficient streetlight in the city.
DLPC previously reported that almost 40,000 streetlights in the city will undergo conversion, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
DLPC executive vice president and chief executive officer Rodger Velasco said the power company will shoulder the project's cost of an estimated P400 million to P500 million.
Meanwhile, Bonguyan said the conversion project is beneficial for the city, as it will be able to lower down its electricity bill of 40 to 60 percent on its annual electricity expenditure of an estimated P200 million.
"This is a good sign kay mamubo atong gasto sa kuryente. Kay ang sodium lights dako'g wattage, meaning dako atong bayran sa kuryente (This is a good sign since it will lower down our expenses in our electricity bill. Because sodium lights consumes high wattage, which means our expenses also increases)," Bonguyan said on Wednesday, November 13, during the 19th City Council media briefing at the City Council.
The councilor said his committee will also pursue to add up more streetlights in the city as there are still some barangays that lack streetlights in their respective areas.
He said there is a need to put up more streetlights to ensure the safety and security of the public.