26,000 solar lamps ready for distribution

CEBU NEWS Before officially stepping down from office, outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia has called on all local chief executives across the province’s towns and cities to fast-track the submission of their memorandum of agreement (MOA) in order to secure solar-powered streetlights intended for provincial roads.

The governor shared during the post-election meeting with the mayors that while over 26,000 solar lamps with posts are ready for distribution, these will only be given to local government units (LGUs) that formally commit to installing the units promptly and according to the specifications laid down by the Cebu Provincial Government.

“We already have the solar lamps, complete with poles and some 10,000 pedestals,” said Garcia. “But we need a MOA with the concurrence of your council that you are willing to install these solar lamps."

The 200-watt warm white lamps are part of Garcia’s flagship infrastructure safety project, originally intended for installation along provincial roads at 25-meter intervals.

However, the governor said she is now opting to distribute them to LGUs instead, amid concerns that her project may not be continued by the next administration.

“I am fearful that this solar lighting project for our province might not be pursued since this is my project anyway,” she added.

Garcia emphasized that this move will avoid stockpiling, noting that delays in installation could lead to the materials degrading in storage.

She also emphasized the cost-efficiency of the Province’s version, revealing that the total cost of one complete lamp set (lamp + pole) ranges only from P23,000 to P25,000, far cheaper than the P220,000 to P260,000 cost of similar units used by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Each unit is 7.2 meters in height and is designed to light up major roads.

Currently, only a few installations have begun,  primarily along the Transcentral Highway and in Capelinha, San Remigio.

With 10,000 pedestals now ready for distribution, Garcia admitted these may not be enough.

If the supply runs out, LGUs are required to produce the pedestals themselves based on a design that will be annexed to the MOA.

The Province has also planned for barangay roads to benefit from the project.

The distribution for these areas will follow, based on how quickly LGUs can comply with the paperwork.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Andrei "Red" Duterte echoed Garcia’s urgent request, adding that the legislative body only has a few sessions left to authorize the distribution.

According to a proposed breakdown of allocations, Camotes Islands are expected to receive the highest number of solar lamps, with 4,254 units, followed by the first district, 4,294, and the third  district, with 3,960.

Bantayan Island is set to receive 1,388 units, while the sixth district will get the fewest, with 388.

The total number of solar lamps prepared is 26,634, which will be enough to illuminate roughly 665.856 kilometers of road, based on a spacing of 25 meters between each lamp.

Garcia reiterated that all MOAs must be finalized by the end of next week for provincial road deployment to begin in full force.

The governor said her office is preparing the draft the MOA and will send it to each LGU via email.

Along with this, LGUs must pass a resolution requesting the Province for the solar lamps with posts “while supplies last.” – JG CEBU NEWS