SOLAR-POWERED, RESILIENT ILOILO CITY: City government invests in solar power for critical facilities; encourages households to go renewable

The Iloilo City Government is investing PHP 25 million in solar energy systems for evacuation centers, Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARE) Centers, and other critical government facilities to ensure uninterrupted public services during disasters and emergencies.

Mayor Raisa S. Treñas said the initiative forms part of the city’s long-term energy security and disaster resilience strategy to ensure that essential government operations continue even during power outages.

The mayor said one reason Iloilo City is accelerating its shift to solar energy is the global fuel supply crisis, which continues to affect electricity costs and energy security. She emphasized that the city is focusing on the long-term impact of these challenges and investing in sustainable solutions.

“We want to be prepared. We want to make sure that government operations must not stop,” Treñas said.

The mayor explained that installing solar energy systems will provide a reliable backup power source for essential facilities, allowing emergency response and frontline public services to continue even when the power grid is disrupted.

Iloilo City has 10 established ICARE Centers. These are strategically located in Sooc, Arevalo; Taal, Molo; Calumpang, Molo; Tanza-Esperanza, City Proper; Nabitasan, La Paz; Gaisano City Center/Central Command, Mandurriao; Megaworld/Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao; Ungka, Jaro; Balantang, Jaro; and Tabuc Suba/Bankers Village, Jaro.

ICARE Centers house frontline emergency and public safety services, including the police, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO), Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO), and fire personnel. Each center serves a designated area of responsibility, decentralizing emergency response and making essential services more readily available and accessible to the communities they serve.

The city also maintains a Regional Evacuation Center in Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, alongside smaller barangay-based facilities.

Treñas said that aside from strengthening disaster resilience, the project is also expected to reduce the city’s electricity expenses, allowing the City Government to channel the savings into other priority programs and public services.

The City Government is finalizing the list of priority facilities, with bidding and implementation targeted to begin within the year.

In the long term, the administration plans to expand solar energy systems to more government facilities that support disaster response, emergency operations, and other essential public services.

Meanwhile, beyond government facilities, Treñas is also encouraging Ilonggo households to invest in solar energy.

“We encourage households to consider solar energy because it offers long-term savings. It is an investment that can help families reduce their electricity expenses over time,” she said.

To encourage wider adoption, the City Government grants a 20% discount on basic real property tax to qualified homeowners who install solar panels under City Regulation Ordinance No. 2009-358, which has been further strengthened through the city’s SunRISE Program.

SunRISE is one of the flagship programs under Treñas’ RISE-to-ACTION Framework. It aims to combat climate change, lower household electricity costs, and reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint.

Launched on Sept. 16, 2025, the program continues to gain momentum. Based on the latest performance data, or “resibo,” released by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, 84 applications from households seeking to avail themselves of the incentive had been processed as of June 2026. Overall, 173 households have been reached through field validation activities, while 74 certifications have been issued to approved applicants.

Treñas clarified that residents do not need to install a full solar energy system immediately. Families may begin with smaller investments, such as solar-powered outdoor lights or basic solar lighting for their homes, and gradually expand their systems as resources allow.

She also urged Ilonggos to embrace renewable energy not only for the long-term savings it offers but also for its positive impact on the environment.

“I encourage everyone to take it one step at a time. Let’s try to go renewable — for our savings and for our environment,” Treñas said. (Press release)