BACOLOD CITY: This highly urbanized city will harness a total capacity of 1,340 kilowatts (KW) in solar power to energize the Bacolod City Government Center as well as other public buildings in 15 villages to reduce electricity costs. As of Monday, the operation of the 400-KW capacity solar photovoltaic system on the rooftop of the Government Center has started. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez stated that all government offices are now being designed to have solar panels on their roofs to reduce costs and promote environmental sustainability. The city government is projected to generate savings of up to PHP14.974 million each year through the use of a 1,340-KW solar power system. Each beneficiary barangay could save about 50 percent in electricity costs. Barangay Taculing will host a 150-KW solar power system at the City Disaster Reduction and Management Office and the village gym, while Barangay Sum-ag will have a 140-KW system at its barangay hall and public market. Ba rangay Vista Alegre will benefit from a 120-KW system at its evacuation center and youth home, Barangay Granada will have an 80-KW system at its public market, and Barangay Villamonte will have a 50-KW system at its gymnasium. The remaining identified villages, including Barangay 16, Alijis, Singcang-Airport, Tangub, Estefania, Pahanocoy, Handumanan, Punta Taytay, Cabug, and Felisa, will each host a solar power facility with a capacity of 40KW. The installation at Barangay 16 will specifically be at Rizal Elementary School. These solar power projects have an estimated budget of PHP100 million, financed under the PHP4.4 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.