The Cebu Provincial Government has joined a national effort to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public buildings.

During an energy forum on 28 February 2028, Provincial Administrator Joseph Ace Durano said local and national agencies, private partners, and communities must work together to strengthen energy systems.

Citing last year’s disasters in Cebu and the Visayas, Durano noted that power outages can immediately disrupt essential services. “Reliable energy is not just about convenience; it is about safety, continuity, and resilience,” he said.

The Department of Energy (DOE) led the forum, attended by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, and other energy sector stakeholders. The agency launched the Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG-ERPB) initiative, which aims to turn public buildings into models of sustainability.

As part of the program, local governments signed a memorandum of agreement to implement energy-saving measures such as retrofitting buildings and installing solar photovoltaic systems.

DOE officials said the initiative is intended to modernize infrastructure, reduce electricity consumption, and lower operating costs, allowing local governments to reallocate funds to public services including education, healthcare, disaster preparedness, and social welfare.