City sets bidding for solar power

 CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City is taking another step toward renewable energy as bidding unfolds today, March 24, 2026, for the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in its Legislative and Executive buildings.

It’s a ?15 million project that covers the full supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, and design of the systems.

This is being carried out under the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act 12009) through open competitive bidding.

Mayor Nestor Archival bared that this is part of his administration’s energy agenda.

“Pagsugod gyud nako sa atong administration ang akong gitan-aw nga in the next one year and a half, ang tanan nga building nga kitay maoy maintain sa electricity, esp dinhi sa atong syudad, kinahanglan nga solar na,” Archival told reporters yesterday.

Archival pointed on the city’s annual fuel expenses of around ?245 million, which have doubled in recent months due to global oil price hikes.

“Kahibaw man mo nga naa tay gastusan nga around ?245 million… Tungod aning nahitabo sa Middle East, gikan sa krudo nato mga ?60 muadto na nis ?120 mu double na,” he said, stressing that renewable energy is now a necessity rather than an option.

The bidding builds on Cebu City’s earlier success at the Department of General Services (DGS) complex in the South Road Properties (SRP), which has already gone solar.

The 300 kilowatt installation there, completed in 2023 and switched on in 2025, has significantly reduced electricity costs and serves as proof of concept for the city’s broader renewable energy program.

Archival has pointed to the DGS project as evidence that solar power can deliver immediate savings while supporting sustainability goals.

The mayor also highlighted how the DGS solar system is being used to charge two donated electric buses currently deployed for free rides under a partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation.

He also disclosed that Cebu City has already ordered additional electric vehicles—including buses and sedans—to comply with the national law requiring at least 10 percent of a government fleet to be electric.

Today’s bidding is expected to set the tone for the city’s long term transition to renewable energy, building on the momentum already established at SRP and reinforcing Archival’s vision of a city powered by sustainable solutions.

“Once nga ma award na nay siya kaning atong building, at least tulo ka building na hinay hinay nga na nay solar,” Archival said, adding that the rollout will expand to more facilities in the coming years.