Archival pushes for solar installations in city government buildings

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is aiming to equip government buildings with solar power systems, with six installations slated before 2026 closes.

“Ato mang gidamgo that in the next three years, ang tanan nga mga buildings nga gi maintain sa atong syudad sa Sugbo mabutangan gyud og solar,” Archival told reporters.

The program is anchored on a P30 million allocation from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), adopted by the City Council through Resolution No. 139, Series of 2026, upon recommendation of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The measure aims to secure uninterrupted power supply in critical facilities during disasters and emergencies.

The P30 million charge, drawn from Account Code 9940 300 50703990 64, will finance installations across 13 city owned buildings, including the Executive and Legislative Annexes, the Association of Barangay Councils Building, the Civil Registrar, the City Health Department, the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP), City Resource Management and Development Center (CREMDEC), the Probe and Disaster Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Services. Certificates of fund availability issued by the City Budget Office and City Treasurer confirmed financing is secured.

Solar installations in six of the 13 buildings are targeted this year.

Officials held groundbreaking ceremonies this week for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at the legislative and executive annexes, with Archival describing the project as both an environmental and fiscal investment.

“Karong tuiga, I think ha, I think, we will have about six building nga masugdan na ang solar considering nga ato gyung gipapush para ma menus menusan ang bayranan sa kuryente,” Archival said. “Kini usa ka investment para sa mas limpyo, mas berde, ug mas sustainable nga kaugmaon sa atong siyudad.”

The rooftop solar project at the legislative and executive annexes has been allocated a P12-million budget and is targeted for completion in August this year.

Archival praised the dedication of Energy Conservation Officer Marie Trece Flores, whose office will oversee the rollout at the ABC Building and the Bagsakan eco station complex.

Flores said the initiative was in line with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2019 that requires government offices to create energy conservation offices.

Department of General Services head Atty. June Maratas stressed compliance with City Ordinance No. 2772 mandating solar installations in government facilities.

Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office Director Engr. Renante Sevilla lauded Cebu City for achieving a perfect “five star” rating in its initial energy audit, noting the new systems will sustain high standards under national energy conservation programs.

Engineering projections show rooftop solar can cut City Hall’s electricity consumption by at least 30 percent, translating into monthly savings of P300,000 to P500,000.

Archival said the city expects to recover the capital outlay within three years, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening disaster preparedness.

The money saved from the reduced electricity consumption will be added to the city's funds and may be allocated to other solar projects, according to the mayor.

He set a target of halving the city’s P300 million annual electricity bill within two years through expanded solar integration and strict energy efficiency measures, including reduced lighting and controlled use of air conditioning.

After the executive and legislative buildings, Archival said installations will follow at the DMDP, ABC Building, and Bagsakan eco station, citing high energy demand in these areas.

He also linked the solar initiative to Cebu City’s broader clean energy agenda, revealing that six electric vehicles and two buses are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.

DOE, meanwhile, emphasized that all solar technicians must be accredited to ensure transparency and quality, warning against substandard or “fly by night” operations. — Michaela Tabar, CNU Intern, MRM (CEBU NEWS)