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The Department of Energy (DOE) has signed separate agreements with the Provincial Government of Iloilo and the City Government of Bacolod to expand the use of solar power and energy efficiency measures in public buildings, as part of a national drive to cut government electricity consumption and improve energy resiliency.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin led the signing of the agreements on Jan. 26–27, formalizing the two local governments’ participation in the Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG–ERPB) initiative. The program supports the Government Energy Management Program, which targets at least a 10 percent reduction in energy use across government operations.
Energy Efficiency In Public Facilities
The partnerships commit the DOE to provide technical assistance for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and the deployment of energy-efficient equipment in selected public facilities. The department will also conduct training and capacity-building sessions for local officials and technical staff to support project planning, monitoring, and long-term system management.
“More than a technical undertaking, energy efficiency and clean energy adoption in public buildings is good governance,” Garin said during the signing. She added that the agreements demonstrate “practical, measurable pathways for government facilities to cut electricity use, strengthen resiliency and model responsible energy use for communities and the private sector alike.”
Iloilo’s Existing Renewable Energy Portfolio
Iloilo enters the partnership with an established track record in renewable energy development. The province was the first local government unit to pass a renewable energy ordinance, enacted in 2022, which mandates infrastructure development and provides incentives for investors.
Existing projects include solar PV installations in six district hospitals, solar-powered streetlights, and solar-powered desalination facilities. In recognition of these efforts, Iloilo was named the pioneer awardee of the DOE’s Sustainable Energy Awards in December 2025.
Under the new agreement, the province is expected to expand solar and energy efficiency applications across additional public facilities, reinforcing earlier gains while aligning local initiatives with national energy-saving targets.
Bacolod Targets Priority Facilities
In Bacolod, the partnership will focus on identifying priority public buildings suitable for solar integration and efficiency upgrades. City officials will work with the DOE to develop a pipeline of projects designed to deliver immediate electricity cost savings while improving the resilience of critical facilities during power outages.
The DOE said these public-sector projects are intended to serve as demonstration models that can be replicated by other local governments and eventually by private-sector entities.
Growing National Participation
With the inclusion of Iloilo and Bacolod, the number of local government units participating in the SSG–ERPB program has risen to 12. Other participating areas include Manila, Quezon City, Pasay, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Navotas, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and the Province of Siquijor.
Beyond local governments, the DOE has also established a similar framework with the Department of Health to improve energy reliability and efficiency in state-run hospitals, underscoring the broader push to integrate clean energy solutions across the public sector.
Source:
https://context.ph/2026/01/27/doe-partners-with-iloilo-bacolod-for-solar-energy-in-public-buildings/
https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/27/doe-taps-iloilo-bacolod-to-scale-public-solar-program