ILOILO City’s decision to grant a 20-percent discount on basic real property tax to homeowners installing solar panels is both practical and forward-looking. At a time when electricity rates continue to strain household budgets, government should reward residents who invest in cleaner energy and reduce their dependence on the power grid.
The figures reveal how far the city still has to go. As of July 2026, only 173 households had benefited from the incentive. For a highly urbanized city with tens of thousands of homes, that number is encouraging but hardly transformative. The program remains a small spark when Iloilo needs a much broader renewable-energy movement.
The major obstacle is obvious: solar installations remain expensive. A tax discount becomes meaningful only after a homeowner has found enough money to purchase and install the system. For low- and middle-income families already struggling with food, tuition, rent and electricity bills, the initial cost may be simply beyond reach.
City Hall must therefore move beyond promotion. It should seriously consider financing arrangements, installment programs, partnerships with legitimate solar providers and additional incentives for households with limited income. Banks, cooperatives and private companies could be encouraged to offer affordable financing with transparent terms. Solar energy must not become another privilege reserved for affluent subdivisions.
The city must also clearly explain the rules. Who qualifies for the 20-percent discount? What equipment must be installed? Will small solar-powered devices mentioned by Mayor Raisa Treñas qualify, or is a full rooftop system required? What documents must homeowners submit, and how long will approval take?
These details should be published prominently and explained at the barangay level.
Consumer protection is equally important. A surge in demand could attract fly-by-night installers selling defective panels, exaggerated savings and systems without proper warranties. The city should maintain a list of qualified providers and coordinate with relevant agencies to protect residents from substandard equipment and deceptive sales practices.
This “SunRise Program” of the Iloilo City Government has the right objective. It can lower household expenses, reduce pressure on the power grid and help Iloilo meet its environmental goals. But its success should not be measured by incentives written into an ordinance. It should be measured by rooftops converted, electricity bills reduced and ordinary Ilonggo families genuinely benefiting.
The 173 participating households have shown that the program can work. The challenge now is to take solar energy beyond the few who can already afford it. If Iloilo City wants a genuine clean-energy transition, it must be bold make the sun shine on every economic class.
