BONTOC, Mt. Province – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Mountain Province District Jail (BJMP-MPDJ) has secured an essential grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Regional Office paving the way for a sustainable and cost-effective use of energy powered by the sun.
The provision of one set of Hybrid Solar Power System to BJMP-MPDJ amounting to PhP490,249.00, approved under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program of the DOST, signifies a significant leap forward not only for the bureau but most especially to the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). It promises not only a round-the-clock source of renewable energy but also substantial financial savings and environmental benefits.
For the realization of the project, the DOST- Regional Office represented by Regional Director Nancy Bantog inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the BJMP –CAR through JSSupt Regional Director Kenneth Bid-ing represented by Assistant Regional Director for Operations JSupt Mary Ann Ollaging-Tresmanio, and from the municipal government represented by Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., on June 24, 2024. The MOA signing was witnessed by DOST Assistant Regional Director Alicia Balacua, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST-Mountain Province Angel Maguen, and Acting Warden of the BJMP-MPDJ JSINSP Bartolome Tresmanio.
Tresmanio extended the utmost gratitude of the bureau to the DOST for the provision of a Hybrid Solar Power System for the BJMP-MPDJ.
According to him, the shift from conventional electricity to renewable energy is expected to generate a remarkable monthly saving on electricity bills. A decrease of 38.59% from P20, 233.61 to P12, 425.46 on the monthly electric consumption of the BJMP-MPDJ is expected.
Tresmanio added that it is also beneficial to the PDLs as their livelihood production outputs are ensured to be unhampered during power outages.
Also, he thanked the municipal government through Mayor Tudlong for accommodating the request that the fund be downloaded to the municipal government for the acquisition/procurement of the Hybrid Solar Power System purposely for the BJMP-MPDJ.
Tudlong joined Tresmanio in extending his utmost gratitude to the DOST for the project granted to the BJMP-MPDJ.
He added that the installation of a Hybrid Solar Power System ensures safety and security to the personnel of the bureau and the PDLs too, especially if power outages happen at night.
“This initiative exemplifies the transformative power of science and technology in addressing the needs of the bureau and the PDLs. By harnessing the potential of renewable energy, we are also promoting environmental sustainability and economic resilience,“ Tudlong added in a separate interview.
The MOA Signing was held at the DOST-Regional Office in La Trinidad, Benguet. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
