The Cebu Provincial Board approved on Monday, February 17, a resolution supporting the use of solar power to generate electricity for the buildings inside the Capitol compound.

According to a Rappler report, author of the resolution and the 7th District Board Member Christopher “Bong” Baricuatro noted that a substantial amount of the provincial government’s budget is allotted to pay the electric bills of the Capitol.

Baricuatro stated in the report that the electricity bills “has partly threaten[ed] the financial solvency of the local government of the Province of Cebu as it has eaten up [a] disproportionately large part of the province’s income.”

Thus, the resolution called for the use of alternative, sustainable, and environment-friendly energy instead of sourcing from fossil fuels.

It was noted in the resolution that the “drive of the Provincial Government of Cebu to lead by example” will inspire other local government units (LGUs) “to also install their own solar power energy system in their respective areas.”

Through this initiative, the provincial board urges other local government units to follow suit.

The shift to alternative power sources was first manifested by Governor Gwen Garcia during a weekly meeting with the province’s department heads last January 6. Its implementation was discussed along with the idea of minimizing the use of air conditioners in various department offices.

Thus, in light of the resolution, the Governor’s Office has completely stopped using its air conditioner and each office are, now, given three to four hours use of air conditioning per day.