Lawmaker Urges DHSUD to Integrate Solar Power in Housing Programs

A lawmaker on Wednesday pressed the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to integrate the use of solar power in its housing program for low-income families. During the House of Representatives’ deliberations on the department’s 2027 budget, the agency was asked how it is implementing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive for housing projects to have their own electricity sources. Iloilo Rep. Julienne L. Baronda, who stands as the agency’s sponsor, said the department would discuss the matter with the National Power Corp. and other partners, noting the potential benefits of solar-powered housing for low-income families. The directive was particularly relevant amid high electricity costs and the financial burden faced by ordinary households, Party-list Rep. Iris Marie De Mesa-Montes said. “Especially at a time when the price of electricity is extremely high. Those housing units will be lived in by ordinary citizens,” she said in Filipino. Solar homes could be incorporated into future housing modalities, adding that solar panels could be included in Pag-IBIG financing at a low rate, Ms. Baronda said. — Pexcel John Bacon This push highlights the high energy costs in the Philippines and their impact on the populace. DHSUD is exploring avenues to enhance the economic independence of citizens through the adoption of sustainable energy sources.