RDC pushes solar-satellite

internet for DOE funding

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado had led the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) to endorsed Bohol’s project on a solar powered satellite-based internet in province-owned hospitals, selected provincial government offices and even island barangays, for Department of Energy (DOE) funding.

As RDC chair, Aumentado took the opportunity of getting funding its innovative project so that it can save its scant resources for other development priorities, seeing that the DOE has a facility that gives direct benefits to local government units and their communities that hosts the energy resource or energy-generating facility.

“The DOE promulgated Energy Regulation (ER) No. 1-94, which provides financial grants to LGUS and regions hosting the operations of energy generating facilities, and under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the DOE directs these generation facilities and to provide financial benefits to hosts which the RDC identifies as beneficiaries of ER 1-94,” explains RDC Vice Chair Kenneth Cobonpue, during the second quarter full council RDC meeting in Bohol.

The funding can be used for Development and Livelihood (DLF) and Reforestation, Watershed Management, Health and or Environment Enhancement Funds (RWMHEEF).

As the RDC opened the portals for LGUS to submit project proposals, Bohol submitted on May 13, 2025, a duly accomplished project profile of the proposal, to which the RDC Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) found to be compliant with the five core criteria for project evaluation.

Bohol submitted “Resilient Inter-connectivity through Non-fixed Broadband (Satellite-based Internet) Communication Powered with Green Technology (Solar Power) for a Seamless Enhanced Lifeline Support Operation within PGBh’s Virtual Private Network among Selected PGBh Offices and Owned Hospitals” for funding under DOE ER No. 1-94. Cobonpue read.

The RDC IDC also noted the project to be aligned with Chapter 17 of the Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 of accelerating climate change action and strengthening disaster resilience.

“The IDC evaluates proposals based on responsiveness; implementation feasibility; funding requirement; environmental acceptability; and social acceptability,” internationally recognized designer Cobonpue added.

As the IDC pushed Resolution No. 8 (s. 2025), recommending the RDC approval of the proposed project for funding, RDC sectoral representative Aurelio Salgados Jr., further proposed the inclusion of island barangays in the project.

“This could provide island residents the communication facility to direct disaster response operations,” Salgados said.

Noting the relevance and usefulness of the project in disaster communications, digitalization and the use of renewable sources, the RDC recommended for the project for DOE funding. (PIABohol)

SUFFICIENT. RDC-7 Co Chair Kenneth Cobonpue shared that the RDC IDC has endorsed for the council an endorsement of Bohol’s satellite internet project for funding by the DOE. Bohol qualifies as it hosts a sufficient supply of renewable energy generation facilities. (PIABohol)