Government buildings in Western Visayas are going solar

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Department of Energy (DOE) and local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday, July 17, committing to energy efficiency and greater renewable energy use in public buildings.

The agreement covers the DOE’s Solar Solutions for Government-Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG-ERPB) program.

The program will integrate solar photovoltaic systems and complementary energy efficiency measures in national and local government offices to reduce electricity consumption, enhance energy resilience, and serve as a model for sustainable energy use in government infrastructure.

The SSG-ERPB complements the existing Government Energy Management Program, which works toward the 10% energy savings target for government operations mandated under Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2019.

The signing was led by DOE officials, including Secretary Sharon Garin, Undersecretary Mario Marasigan, and Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino.

LGU signatories included Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu and Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores.

Capiz Provincial Administrator Arthur Biñas and lawyer Brian Gayanilo, executive assistant to Guimaras Gov. Lucille Nava, represented their respective chief executives.

Department of Economic Planning and Development-Western Visayas Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. witnessed the signing.

The city and provincial governments join 23 LGU signatories to the SSG-ERPB nationwide.

LGUs from the National Capital Region signed in November 2025, while Iloilo province went ahead of its regional neighbors after signing its own MOA with the DOE in June.

Garin said that while the program centers on installing more solar energy systems in government buildings, it underscores the importance of government leadership in transitioning to cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable energy sources.

LGU leaders also said the benefits of the SSG-ERPB and other partnerships with the DOE and other key energy agencies would trickle down to the general public.

Treñas-Chu said the city’s support for and participation in the SSG-ERPB would complement its existing renewable energy efforts, particularly in solar energy.

She said the city government has allocated PHP 25 million for the installation of solar energy systems in government offices, emergency command centers, and evacuation centers across Iloilo City, as well as for the expanded use of solar-powered streetlights.

“These initiatives reflect our belief that local governments must lead by example. By investing in renewable energy today, we are creating long-term savings, strengthening energy security, and building a city that is more resilient to the challenges of tomorrow,” Treñas-Chu said.

“Together [with the DOE], we can demonstrate that sustainable governance is not only possible — it is essential,” she added.

Biñas said savings on energy expenditures from the partnership would significantly benefit Capiz in the long term.

“Every kilowatt hour saved from this project translates into more resources that can be diverted to social services, healthcare, and infrastructure for the people of Capiz and for the whole Panay Island,” the provincial administrator said.

“Through the SSG-ERPB, we are transforming our government centers into models of sustainability, showing our constituents that a cleaner, more energy-secure future is possible when we combine technology with political will,” he added.

The event also served as the Visayas regional activation of the DOE’s O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign, which promotes a coordinated weekly energy-reduction window from 8 to 9 p.m. every Saturday.

Garin said the campaign, launched in April, has saved more than 109,000 megawatt-hours, supporting more than 500,000 households.

The campaign was rolled out amid significant increases in the prices of imported energy sources stemming from heightened conflict in the Middle East.

Inspired by the Earth Hour movement led by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the nationwide campaign is being carried out in partnership with the private sector.

For Friday’s regional activation, the DOE chose Megaworld as its pioneer private-sector partner in the Visayas.

“While the government must lead by example, achieving a truly energy-secure Philippines requires the participation of every sector of society. This is why we continue to strengthen the [O.N.E] campaign,” the secretary said.