Naga City, PNOC sign agreement on solar project

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Renewable Corporation will soon put up a 100KW solar rooftop program in City of Naga Cebu.

Mayor Kristine Chiong and representatives of PNOC signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday morning.

PNOC chairperson Evelyn Paulino said the project is worth P5 million to P8 million at no cost to the city.

She told reporters that the project is beneficial to the city’s constituents since it will help reduce power consumption.

One of the objectives of PNOC is to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 70 percent to help in the effort to prevent climate change.

“We will be essentially reducing carbon dioxide and will able to reduce pollution and cleaning the environment with the use of renewable energy,” she said.

City of Naga is the first local government unit outside Manila that has partnered with PNOC for the establishment of the solar-powered program.

Project Manager Mario Tercero explained that for every 1,000 square meters, there is a 100 kilowatt peak of power generation, saying the project will be installed at the City Hall.

Tercero said that instead of paying to the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), the city will pay its consumption to PNOC at a lower cost.

Chiong said it will be an advantage for the city considering that they can minimize the City Hall’s electricity expenses of around P16,000.

“Ang consumption sa LGU instead being paid to Veco ang gamiton namo is ang energy nga na-harness sa solar panel.  Ang direct benefit is menus ang expense sa electricity,” she said.

“Instead 100KW being paid to VECO nga P11 ang atoa is  to 9 to 9.50 ang ibayad sa PNOC,” she added.

Tercero said the solar facility will be paid through amortization for 15 years.

After 15 years, the facility will be owned by the city, which means the City Hall's electricity expenses would then be free.

The MOA also said the maintenance of the facility will be shouldered by PNOC.

The solar rooftop panel has a life span of 25 years.

For his part, VECO Reputation Enhancement Department head Eric Ching said they gladly support the program.

 “We are not against the project, we are also promoting for the solar panel kay nindot nga naa sad tay renewable energy at the same time makatabang sad kay naa man tay panahon nga naay power shortages, at least with these project, dili na kaayo  kadako ang gikinahanglan sa power,” he said.

But he said the PNOC must collaborate with VECO to ensure the facility’s standard. (FREEMAN)