Passage of bill requiring solar energy use in gov’t buildings pushed

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

(Pexels photo)

MANILA – The shift to a four-day workweek in some government offices due to the rising costs of fuel emphasizes the need to shift the need to shift away from our dependence on oil towards more renewable energy (RE) sources, Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos said Monday.

“Hindi po ito ang huling pagkakataon na magmamahal nang todo ang petrolyo dahil limitado ang supply, kaya dapat tayo na mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para mabawasan ang negatibong epekto nito (This will not be the last time that oil prices will become expensive because supply is limited, that’s why we must find ways to minimize its negative effects),” Bernos said in a news release.

The lawmaker renewed his call for the passage of House Bill No. 3126, or the On-Grid Solar Energy Systems bill, mandating the establishment of on-grid solar energy systems in all national and local government-owned buildings and offices to reduce electricity costs.

Government agencies would also be required to ensure that 20 percent of their average monthly utilization (AMU) would be covered by the on-grid solar energy systems within one year of installation.

The AMU by such systems would then increase to 40 percent within the second year, 60 percent on the third year, 80 percent on the fourth year, and 100 percent on the fifth year.

The lawmaker touted on-grid solar systems as an affordable and feasible RE source that governments could view as a long-term investment.

“Considering that solar panel technology has become much cheaper to the point that it is even viable for home use, not to mention a typical lifespan of 25 to 30 years, there is hardly any reason why the government shouldn’t shift to a resource that we have in abundance,“ Bernos said.