Makati schools shift to using solar

By Joel E. Zurbano

NINE public schools in Makati City have already shifted to sustainable and renewable energy by using solar panels, Mayor Abigail Binay said on Thursday.

At the launching of the solar panel project at San Antonio National High School, Binay highlighted the importance of “walking the talk” when it comes to promoting sustainability and raising awareness about the impact of climate change.

“As a city, we have a responsibility to protect the environment and address the effects of climate change. The use of solar panels in schools is just one step towards achieving our goal of creating a more sustainable and resilient city. By investing in solar panels for our public schools, we are taking a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for our beloved city,” Binay said. Under the project, a total of 25 public elementary and high schools in the city will transition to the use of solar energy. San Antonio National High School is one the first schools to have fully-operational solar panels on site.

Makati High School, East Rembo Elementary School, Makati Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, San Antonio Village Elementary School, Nicanor Garcia Elementary School, Tibagan High School, and Rizal Elementary School have also started using solar panels.

The project will reduce energy con- sumption and costs in schools by harnessing the power of the sun. By using solar panels, schools will be able to generate electricity, reduce their reliance on traditional power sources, and decrease their carbon footprint.

The panels are projected to produce enough energy to power the schools during daylight hours, with excess energy being fed back into the grid.

San Antonio National High School reported that 88 percent (3644 kWh) of its recent total electricity consumption came from collected solar power energy, while the remaining 12 percent (498 kWh) was sourced from the usual electric distribution utility company.

Besides saving the city energy and money, Binay said San Antonio High School’s transition to renewable energy also translates to environmental benefits: 2.41 equivalent trees planted and 4.35 t CO2 emissions saved.

PBBM AND TOYM.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. poses with the Ten Outstanding Young Men 2022 honorees who have shown outstanding skills in the fields of medicine, education, arts, and leadership.

OP Photo

By Rio N. Araja

WARM temperature can pose health risks to those with heart problems, according to the Philippine Heart Association.

Dr. Jeannica dela Peña of the PHA advocacy committee CPR Council said hot weather is not good for people with heart problems.

“If the temperature is high, the beat of the heart palpitates faster or at times, four times faster. If one’s heart is weak, the heat could add more stress to it to work,” she said.

Dela Peña is an adult cardiologist and advanced echocardiographer at The Medical City.

“Hot weather can be stressful to a normal person. What more to a person with a heart condition? That is the natural compensatory response,” she stressed.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as it should.

“When it is hot, people perspire too much. That is why they drink water too often to avoid dehydration,” the heart doctor said.

“But to one with heart failure, that cannot be. The fluid could build up to one’s body,” she added.

She recommended for those with heart condition to stay outdoors only when the temperature is no longer high, not to wear dark-colored clothes and to drink just enough amount of water.