CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte– The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has taken a major step toward energy independence and disaster resilience with the launch of the first phase of its Solar Power Energization Project at Camp Ruperto Kangleon on Tuesday, June 2, a move expected to significantly reduce electricity costs and ensure uninterrupted operations during emergencies.
The project comes amid the government’s continuing push for renewable energy adoption across public institutions as a means of lowering operational expenses and reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
PRO-8 officially inaugurated a 48-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed at its regional headquarters.
The P2.4-million facility serves as the initial phase of a three-stage renewable energy program aimed at supplying a substantial portion of the camp’s power requirements.
Police Brigadier General Jason Capoy, regional director of PRO-8, said the initiative demonstrates the police organization’s commitment to sustainability and efficient resource management.
Capoy expressed hope that provincial police offices, city and municipal police stations, and other police units across Eastern Visayas would adopt similar renewable energy projects to help cut electricity expenses and promote environmental stewardship.
Once all three phases of the solar power project are completed, PRO-8 estimates savings of between P120,000 and P150,000 on its monthly electricity bill. The entire project is expected to cost between P8 million and P9 million.
Beyond financial savings, officials said the solar power system will strengthen the operational readiness of the police force, particularly during natural disasters and power interruptions that frequently affect the region.
Atty. Risty Sibay, regional director of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in Eastern Visayas, lauded the initiative, noting that renewable energy systems can provide critical backup power during emergencies when government services are most needed.
He said energy-resilient facilities are essential in ensuring that law enforcement and public safety operations continue even during prolonged power outages caused by typhoons and other calamities.
Eastern Visayas is among the regions most vulnerable to severe weather disturbances, making reliable and alternative power sources increasingly important for government agencies tasked with emergency response and public safety.
The Solar Power Energization Project forms part of PRO-8’s broader efforts to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability while enhancing the region’s disaster preparedness capabilities.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)