BERNOS CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF BILL REQUIRING SOLAR ENERGY USE IN GOVT BUILDINGS AMID SOARING OIL PRICES

The shift to a four-day workweek in some government offices due to the rising costs of fuel emphasizes the need to shift to renewable energy sources, a lawmaker said.

According to Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos, “the implementation of a four-day workweek in some offices in the Executive branch underscores the need for us to shift away from our dependence on oil towards more renewable energy sources.

“Hindi po ito ang huling pagkakataon na magmamahal nang todo ang petrolyo dahil limitado ang supply, kaya dapat tayo na mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para mabawasan ang negatibong epekto nito.”

The lawmaker called for the passage of a measure that seeks to require government offices to use on-grid solar energy systems to reduce electricity costs.

House Bill No. 3126 or the On-Grid Solar Energy Systems bill authored by Bernos mandates the establishment of on-grid solar energy systems in all national and local government-owned buildings and offices.

Government agencies would also be required to ensure that 20 percent of their average monthly utilization (AMU) would be covered by the on-grid solar energy systems within one year of installation.

The AMU by such systems would then increase to 40 percent within the second year, 60 percent on the third year, 80 percent on the fourth year, and 100 percent on the fifth year.

The lawmaker touted on-grid solar systems as an affordable and feasible RE source that governments could view as a long-term investment.

“Considering that solar panel technology has become much cheaper to the point that it is even viable for home use, not to mention a typical lifespan of 25 to 30 years, there is hardly any reason why the government shouldn’t shift to a resource that we have an abundance of,“ said Bernos.