Talisay’s lawyer, council block new mayor’s solar power plant

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council deferred approving the move of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to build a solar power plant and off-grid wind power facility. 

Councilor Socrates Fernandez sponsored the resolution endorsing the project, but City Legal Officer Alfredo Sipalay asked the City Council to defer the passage of the resolution saying that the matter should not be done in haste.

Sipalay said his office need to review further the project requested by the Office of the Mayor.

The plan is in line with the aim to change the country’s fuel system to 100-percent clean and renewable energy.

The Belgian Government, the Climate Change Commission and the World Watch Institute are reportedly assisting in the planned project. 

Former senator Heherson Alvarez, secretary of Climate Change Commission and presidential adviser on global warming and climate change, broached the idea to De los Reyes in visiting the city last month.

The city will allocate eight hectares of land for the solar power project. 

The Hi-Tech Lighting World Corporation, represented by Marc Cools, has proposed to put up the solar power plant which will cost close to P580 million.

“I would rather say that the project needs review. We need not to rush in entering into agreement,” Sipalay added.  — /JPM (FREEMAN)