The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Consolacion, Cebu is pioneering a shift to renewable energy, installing a P2-million solar power system to significantly cut electricity costs. With the system expected to reduce monthly expenses by around P50,000, the jail facility will soon rely primarily on solar energy, marking it as the first in the region to do so, according to BJMP Chief Inspector Bryan Roy Mercado.
The solar project, launched last October 16, 2024, incorporates a hybrid inverter system with 48 solar panels, each capable of producing 560 watts. Altogether, the panels are expected to deliver 24 kilowatts of power, allowing the facility to ease away from dependency on the conventional power grid. Mercado highlighted the dual benefits of the initiative, emphasizing both cost savings and environmental impact reduction.
Mercado noted that the installation stands as the most extensive solar project in any BJMP facility across Region 7, comparing Consolacion’s comprehensive setup with smaller-scale solar initiatives at other facilities.
Beyond the jail’s energy needs, the solar system is also designed to supply power to nearby public facilities, including the Consolacion Police Station, the Comelec Office, and the local municipal covered court. Installation began last week, with completion anticipated by the end of the current week. Once operational, essential systems like air conditioning, electric fans, and various appliances within the jail will run on clean, solar-generated energy.
New Facility Planned to Address Overcrowding
In addition to the solar project, plans for a new jail facility are also in motion. Alvin Duazo, executive assistant to the Consolacion Mayor, shared that a larger facility is set for construction in Barangay Panas to accommodate a growing population of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), which currently stands at around 300 inmates.
The new facility is estimated to cost P159 million, with funding sourced from national government allocations. The construction, set to begin next year, is expected to span approximately 18 months, following a bidding process to involve the BJMP, local government units, and selected contractors.
This dual approach—upgrading the current facility’s energy infrastructure and constructing a new, larger jail—underscores Consolacion’s commitment to both efficient management and improved conditions for PDLs in the region.
Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/consolacion-jail-installs-solar-energy-system