BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance adopting the use of energy conservation technologies and clean renewable energy in all local government facilities and other government projects within the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilors Benny Bomogao, Faustino Olowan and Michael L. Lawana declared that it will be a policy of the local government to conserve energy use in all facilities where energy consumption is paid with public funds and it will likewise endeavour the use of energy saving technologies and renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and the like.
Further, it provides that the local government shall use energy saving technology to effectively reduce energy cost and encourage both the public and private sectors to do the same
The ordinance stated the use of energy-saving technologies or device shall be applied to all city government facilities and all existing bulbs or fixtures used by the local government shall be replaced with energy-saving fixtures within a period of one year for vertical structures and two years for horizontal structures, street lights and park lightings, immediately following the effectivity of the ordinance.
Under the proposal, the local government shall use light-emitting diode (LED) or other proven cost-saving technologies in replacing existing bulbs or lighting fixtures towards meeting the purposes of this endeavour.
The proponents tasked the City Engineering Office (CEO) and City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and other concerned government agencies to initially use energy-saving technologies or renewable energy for the lighting requirements in the preparation of programs of works for all government projects in conformity with Article XIII, Section 38 of Ordinance No. 18, series of 2016 otherwise known as the Environment Code of the city.
The CBAO, whenever practical, shall recommend to applicants securing building permits or electrical service connections to incorporate the use of energy-efficient options like LED, solar or other energy-saving devices in their constructions.
Further, this office will also be tasked to implement the provisions of the ordinance and it shall devise the appropriate plans for the full implementation of the local legislative measure.
The proponents indicated P25 million must be initially appropriated by the local government to fund the implementation of the project and that the annual funding shall be included for the full replacement of lighting fixtures with LED in all local government facilities.
It added the CEO shall incorporate in its annual budget the funding requirements for the maintenance of streetlights, park lightings and other lighting fixtures for horizontal structures while the CBAO shall do the same for vertical structures.
Moreover, an annual amount of P3 million was proposed to be automatically segregated for the immediate restoration of damaged lighting fixtures and its accessories and that the fund shall be included under the 70 percent calamity funds of the city.
By Dexter A. See