(Photo by PNA)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government saved more than Php 2.015 million in electricity costs from January to October 2026 through solar photovoltaic installations at the Capitol Complex and five government hospitals.
Data from the 4K for MoRProGRes Dashboard showed that the solar facilities generated a combined 180,803 kilowatt-hours during the period.
The Capitol Complex produced 49,973 kWh, resulting in about Php 424,158 in savings.
The Iloilo Provincial Hospital generated 18,313 kWh and saved Php 212,889.
Among district hospitals, Aleosan District Hospital generated 34,877 kWh and saved Php 396,833, while Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital produced 31,354 kWh and cut electricity costs by Php 354,202.
Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital generated 27,866 kWh and saved Php 317,299, while Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido District Hospital produced 27,420 kWh and saved Php 310,452.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said solar power could provide local government units with a more affordable source of additional generation capacity, particularly as the province prepares for the possible impacts of El Niño.
“If you are an LGU and cannot put up a plant, the bottom line is the generation capacity of the system,” Defensor said Wednesday.
Defensor is set to meet with Capitol department heads and the Provincial Task Force on El Niño to discuss a comprehensive preparedness plan covering agriculture, water supply, health, energy and public safety.
The plan is expected to identify specific programs, projects and funding requirements for mitigation measures.
“What we expect are the concrete and practical interventions,” Defensor said.
The provincial government, however, will have to source funding for the proposed measures from other portions of its budget, as the interventions are not automatically covered by a possible state of calamity declaration.
Iloilo is also considering declaring a state of calamity due to an infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect, which has reportedly caused more than Php 1 billion in production losses.
