Alternative power project pushed:Beneco to maintain city roadlights despite losses

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government is now hastening implementation of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) conversion project after the power firm running the city’s street lights said it had been incurring losses.

The city council will require the technical working group in charge of the city’s LED conversion project to submit an update on the progress of the streetlight replacement and management project as per Resolution No. 446 series of 2011.

            

The said resolution approved the terms of reference for the conversion of all existing streetlights, park lights and government-owned building and facilities into LED technology and for the repair and maintenance of the same on a private-public partnership in a cost-saving share scheme.

            

In a resolution approved by the body, author Councilor Elmer Datuin observed that the project “appears to have stalled despite the long period of time to implement the said project after the approval of the terms of reference.”

            

He said the LED project “is awaited not only by the proponents but the private sector as well due to its numerous benefits to our tourism industry and to the possible savings it will give to the city in its electric bills.”

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It is best if the TWG will report to the city council the progress of the project implementation to determine other possible legislative measure to support the immediate conversion to LED lights,” the resolution noted.

            

Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the city needs to fast-track the project after the Beneco said it had been incurring losses in the maintenance of the city’s streetlights but nevertheless assured that they will keep the deal as part of its corporate responsibility until the city’s LED project materializes.

            

The city and the Beneco last February entered into an agreement that authorizes the power firm to take over the management and operation of the city’s streetlights while the city is facilitating the LED conversion project.

            

The LED project aims to cut down on the city government’s power costs which now run to P42.32 million per year for a total of 8,200 lighting fixtures lighting streets, alleys, parks, overpasses and flyovers plus P24.08 million for the lighting of government offices and schools by commissioning a qualified company to replace and manage all streetlights, park lights, including lights in overpasses, flyovers and City Government owned buildings and facilities with LED bulbs and repair and the maintenance on a private-public partnership and a cost-saving share scheme.

            

The winning company is expected to undertake replacement at no expense to the city within six months upon signing of the contract and to take charge of the repair and maintenance of all installed LED lighting equipment for a period of 12 years.