ORMOC CITY – To be able to implement supportive policies and incentives for renewable energy adoption, a draft ordinance that shall be known as the “Renewable Energy Incentives Ordinance of Ormoc City” was crafted by this city’s 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), and which it passed on its third and final reading during its April 8, 2025 regular session.
The ordinance is authored and sponsored by SP Member Lalaine A. Marcos. Accordingly, the ordinance serves to provide incentives on real property tax imposed on residential units where renewable energy is used or consumed as a source of electric power. The ordinance further reads that a 20% discount on real property tax shall be granted to applicants whose household energy needs are sourced, in whole or in part, from renewable energy resources derived from biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind, and ocean energy systems, hybrid or otherwise, and used for power generation or non-power applications.
The ordinance further provides that for residents interested to avail of the discount that a proforma application as well as a list of requirements are provided for already by the city, and that it will be the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) that will receive their applications and endorse to the City Engineering Office (CEO) for the conduct of inspection on the existence and usage of the renewable energy resources. Thereafter, the CEO will submit to the ENRO an inspection report with photographs of the equipment using renewable energy resources, and upon showing that the applicant is qualified and has submitted the complete set of requirements, the ENRO will then recommend to the City Mayor the approval of the application. The City Treasurer’s Office shall thereafter be advised to calculate the appropriate incentive to be availed of by the applicant.
The city of Ormoc, with the passage of the ordinance, recognizes that global warming and climate change are urgent realities, driven by human activities like fossil fuel consumption; and that transitioning to renewable energy enhances energy security, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and fosters economic growth through job creation. It also improves public health by reducing air pollution.
Thus, the ordinance reads, to bring about this transition, Ormoc City must implement supportive policies and incentives for renewable energy adoption wherein individual/household entities can contribute by supporting clean energy initiatives and advocating for sustainable practices. (By Gwen Maurillo / EV Mail APRIL 7-13, 2025 issue)
