• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance granting tax incentives to households and businesses in the City of Bacolod that install and utilize solar energy systems as an alternative source of electricity, was recently passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on first reading.
Authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos, the proposed ordinance said the Philippine government promotes the use of renewable energy (RE) to ensure energy security and environmental sustainability.
Solar energy is a clean, renewable, and sustainable source of power that can help reduce electricity cost for households and businesses, it said.
Encouraging the installation of solar energy systems contributes to reducing carbon emissions and dependence on conventional power sources, the ordinance said.
Recent reports from the Department of Energy (DOE) warns that delays in renewable energy (RE) projects may threaten the country’s power supply and increase the risk of power shortages, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions during peak demand periods, it said.
The City Government of Bacolod recognizes the need to support environmentally sustainable initiatives that will benefit residents and local businesses, the proposed ordinance said.
To be known as the “Bacolod Solar Energy Incentives Ordinance of 2026”, the proposed measure provides guidelines and procedures for the grant of tax incentives to residential households and commercial establishments, as well as new or existing buildings in Bacolod City that utilizes solar energy systems.
Qualified residential households will be entitled to the following incentives: first year – 100 percent real property tax exemption; second year – 75 percent real property tax exemption; and third year – 50 percent real property tax exemption.
Commercial establishments and businesses utilizing solar energy will be entitled to the following incentives: first year – 100 percent business tax exemption; second year – 75 percent business tax exemption; and third year – 50 percent business tax exemption.
The proposed ordinance also provides that any person or entity found to have falsified documents or misrepresented compliance in order to avail of incentives will be subject to forfeiture of all incentives, and be made to pay applicable penalties and surcharges under existing city ordinances.*
