Archival wants renewable energy sources for all city government buildings

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, Energy, and Other Utilities to study the installation of solar powered systems or other forms of renewable energy sources in all buildings owned and maintained by the city government without cost to the city.

A resolution on the matter sponsored by Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr. was recently approved by the council. The council likewise requested the committee to submit a recommendation within 45 days, or on/or before September 23, 2022 from receipt of the resolution.

Archival said that during the super typhoon Odette, the city was heavily damaged which resulted to a lack of electricity for more than a month. He said the increasing cost of electricity is also detrimental to the city's coffers.

“Solar powered systems and other renewable energy sources are already available in the local market,” said Archival.

“To save in electrical cost, there is a need to shift in using renewable energy,” he said.

The total electricity cost of the buildings maintained by the city government last 2021, as provided by the data from the Department of General Services (DGS), is more or less P56.6 million.

Meanwhile, as of July 2022, the DGS reported that the total electricity cost of the buildings maintained by the city is at P34.2 million.

To recall, Archival also suggested for the city government to start the gradual use of electric vehicles to be able to save money.

He said the city should adopt a proof of concept wherein instead of utilizing gasoline or diesel engines, the city should purchase electric cars.

With this, the council requested the committees on transportation, and environment to study whether the adoption of sustainable transportation through electric vehicles is feasible. — FPL (FREEMAN