PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon yesterday led the ceremonial switch on of the Solar Power System at the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).

Gadon said the solar power installed in the campus will give zero cost to the government.

According to Gadon, BPSU can now save and earn from the 670 kilowatts solar power electricity since it will reduce the cost of operations in all six campuses.

The state university, he added, can likewise use the savings for other academic requirements.

“The project is zero cost to the government and the BPSU…, the 670 kilowatts solar power electricity will reduce the cost of operations of its six campuses and they can use the savings for other academic requirements,” he explained.

Gadon was assisted by Dr. Ruby Matibag, president of the BPSU, and Michelle Sia , president of Philko Corp, the private partner for the initiative that provided all the financing and installation of the solar system.

Saying that education is one of the major factors that would help alleviate poverty, the Palace official pointed out that “enhancement of academic aspects is critical to quality education.”

Aside from reducing the cost, Gadon pointed out that using the solar system will give BPSU the potential to earn additional funds from the excess power harvested by the solar system.

“The savings and earnings can then be diverted to other funding needs of the school thereby leading to the pursuit of higher quality education,” he said.

This is line with the program of the President Ferdinand ‘Bong-Bong’ Marcos Jr., aimed at reducing poverty incidence rate in the country.

He added that Philko, the project proponent, is a long-time client of his, since 2012 It is involved in several key areas of investments.

The BPSU solar system is Philko’s first alternative energy project.

The next phase of the solar project, according to Gadon, is the 27 hectare solar farm on the BPSU campus in Abucay, Bataan, which is now on the inception stage.

Philko has Korean partners in the said project.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Joel dela Torre