ILOILO City – At least 173 households here have secured a 20-percent discount on their basic real property tax (RPT) after installing solar panels, as the city government intensifies its campaign to help residents cut electricity expenses through renewable energy.
Mayor Raisa Treñas urged more homeowners to take advantage of the tax incentive under City Regulation Ordinance No. 2009-358 and the city government’s SunRise Program, which promotes the use of renewable energy technologies in residential properties.
The city government said 173 households had already benefited from the program as of July 2026.
Treñas described solar energy as a practical long-term investment amid continuously rising electricity rates and other household expenses.
“We are really encouraging our households to consider installing solar panels because this is a long-term investment that will eventually help them save on electricity expenses. With the continuous increase in power rates and other household costs, every peso saved will make a difference,” Treñas said.
She clarified that residents interested in shifting to renewable energy do not have to immediately invest in a complete solar power system.
“You don’t have to start with a complete solar panel installation. If a full system is still beyond your budget, you can begin with something simple, like solar-powered lights inside your home or at your gate. Even small steps can already help lower electricity consumption,” she said.
Treñas said households could gradually adopt solar technology according to their financial capacity, stressing that even small investments could eventually generate savings and environmental benefits.
“We encourage everyone to take it one step at a time. Let’s slowly shift to renewable energy — not only because it helps us save money in the long run, but also because it contributes to protecting our environment for future generations,” Treñas said.
The city government is continuing to promote the SunRise Program as part of its broader sustainability campaign and is encouraging qualified property owners to apply for the tax incentive while transitioning to cleaner energy sources./PN
