To cut down on costs and ensure continued power during times of emergency, the Makati City local government will be installing solar panels in its public schools.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay made the announcement during yesterday’s launch of Brigada Eskwela, held simultaneously in several of Makati’s public schools.
The mayor attended the activity in Comembo Elementary School in Barangay Comembo.
Binay said the initiative is one of the city’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of schools and provide them with renewable energy resources.
Earlier, the Makati mayor declared a state of climate emergency in the city due to growing issues regarding climate change in the country and the world.
She called for a whole-of-society approach in responding to the crisis.
“As temperatures and sea levels continue to rise, low-lying coastal areas in cities like Makati have become more vulnerable to strong typhoons that bring floods and landslides. This will result not only in the disruption of public services, but also the displacement of families and even entire communities,” Binay said.
The Makati city government is among the cities in the National Capital Region that will be participating in the Brigada Eskwela 2022 Regional and Division kickoff.
The activity was hosted by the Department of Education-Makati, with Makati City Representative Luis “Ironman” Campos as guest.
Among programs and initiatives the Binay administration aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the city are the procurement of electric vehicles to be used by the city government, installation of solar panels in public schools and government offices to minimize energy consumption and to ensure continuity of services during calamities.
“The time for action is now. As the new breed of Makatizens and global citizens, it is our responsibility to take care of our city and ensure that it remains a livable place for future generations. We must promote sustainability and climate consciousness in all our actions. We must be the change we want to see in our city and the world,” she added.
The Makati city government has been investing in state-of-the-art disaster equipment and distributing emergency go bags and hard hats to residents, public school students, and City Hall workers to promote disaster preparedness since 2017.