For Solar Energy Project: DOE picks Medellin island as pilot area

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted P300,000 to the Cebu Electric Cooperative (Cebeco) II to energize Gibitngil Island in the municipality of Medellin with the use of solar panels.

The energization of the said island barangay is one of the pilot areas of DOE for its solar energy program for the entire Visayas.

Randy Perez, a member of Cebeco’s board of directors and Medellin municipal secretarty, said they requested DOE for the said grant upon the request of Mayor Ricardo Ramirez.

Gibitngil is one of only three barangays in the whole country identified as pilot areas for the project.

Currently, the island has around 300 households but only 40 have their own solar panels and generator sets.

Perez said the capacity of the solar power in the island will be good for 300 households, who will then pay a fixed amount of P120 per month for 25 wattage; P220 for 50 wattage and P320 for 75 wattage of power supply in every household.

Perez said 265 households already applied for the electrification and expect to be energized by September this year.

Each household shall be allowed to accommodate a television as the biggest appliance.

A memorandum of agreement will soon be entered into between DOE and the Cebeco II, wherein the latter agrees to be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the solar power in the island.

Perez said the grant provided by DOE shall be used to buy the equipment and hardware.

Ramirez said Gibitngil Island is one of the poorest barangays in the municipality, prompting him to prioritize projects for the island residents. – (FREEMAN)