ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin graces the Western Visayas launching of the DOE renewable energy program at Festive Walk Iloilo. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) urged local government offices in Western Visayas region to step up the use of solar energy.
DOE Secretary Sharon S. Garin led the regional launching of the agency’s Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG-ERPB) program by signing agreements with local government units (LGUs) and a national government agency (NGA) in Iloilo City on Friday, July 17.
Garin said this will be a full blast expansion of SSG-ERPB in Western Visayas as the Iloilo provincial government has started implementing the program.
DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan and Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino joined Garin in signing agreements with the provincial governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras as well as the Iloilo City government.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development-6 also inked an agreement with the DOE.
Under the SSG-ERPB program, the DOE will provide support to LGUs and NGAs in adopting a rooftop solar photovoltaic system.
Garin said that this energy-efficient system aims to reduce electrical consumption and eventually lower operational costs in government facilities.
The DOE called on private partners, including property developer Megaworld Corp., to utilize renewable energy at facilities at the Iloilo Business Park.
The agency also launched the “Oras Natin sa Efficiency” or ONE campaign in Western Visayas. It urges the public to switch-off non-essential lights and unplug unused appliances for one hour every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.