By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Engineer’s Office (CEO) is being urged by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to upgrade the city’s streetlight system.

In a resolution passed last week, they called on the CEO to upgrade the streetlight system by installing solar-powered light-emitting diode (LED) street lights across the city.

The resolution, authored by City Councilor Em Ang, cited RA 9153, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which encourages an increase in the utilization of renewable energy, including the development of local and national capabilities, along with promoting its efficient and cost-effective commercial application.

The policy noted, solar-powered LED streetlights are environmentally-friendly because they are solely dependent on heat energy given off by the sun. The units are also energy and cost efficient because they are maintenance-free and last more than 13 years or fifty thousand hours.

Ang said the use of solar-powered LED streetlights will also provide a whiter light that promotes better “visual acuity.”

She added, it would be beneficial for the city to upgrade because it will significantly reduce the city’s electrical and maintenance expenses./DGB, WDJ