Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez meeting with DPWH Bacolod officials*
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is asking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to divert P120 million intended for solar studs at Lacson Street in Bacolod City to solar streetlights instead that provide real benefits to the people.
Solar studs, also known as solar pavement markers or solar road markers, are LED lighting devices that are embedded into the surface of a road.
In a meeting with the DPWH he discovered that P120 million has been allotted in the 2025 budget for so-called solar studs in three project sites, Benitez said on Thursday, Sept. 4.
“Solar studs are not needed along Lacson Street and are not effective as they break down easily,” he said.
“I have directed the DPWH to divert the funds to solar streetlights instead, particularly in certain areas where they are needed, and to return the excess and unused funds to the national government,” he said.
The funding for solar studs should be reverted back to the national government and realigned to projects that deliver real benefits to the people, he said.
“That is why I asked the DPWH to abandon this Solar Studs Project and instead focus on funding solar streetlights, which are more useful, more transparent, and more responsive to the needs of our communities,” Benitez said.
Benitez said he met with DPWH Bacolod officials led by District Engineer Leah Jamero, Assistant District Engineer Antonio Valenzuela, and Planning Chief Engineer Lionel Besa to discuss updates and proposed projects for 2026.
“These consultations are important to ensure that our infrastructure projects are responsive to the needs of our communities and contribute to the long-term development of Bacolod,” Benitez said.*