The project shall develop schemes to reduce pressure on forest and land resources and address food procution through the operation of small production facilities such as a rice mill and sugar cane presser. Agriculture through swidden and wetland rice farming (subsistence farming) is the main income in the community. Despite the distance of the communities and inavailability of basic services, the local communities continue to work out schemes and activities to improve their social and economic conditions while addressing the conservation and protection of their natural resources.

The proponent belongs to the Gubang indigenous people under the major ethnolinguistic group of Tingguians. They are involved in planning, designing, organizing, implementing, and monitoring all phases of the project. With due recognition to the indigenous systems of the local populace in protecting and conserving natural resources, assistance to them to enhance and conserve these practices have also been extended.

Through seminars on watershed management, the project promoted awareness on the global environment, particularly on greenhouse gas emissions and the need to conserve and protect biodiversity. The watershed activities shall be directly contribute to long-term sustainability of the energy infrastructure where water is the required resource. Pressure on forest and land resources have been minimized or reduced with increased food production. The energy generated from the MHP will be used for the operation of rice mill and other small machines for food production and/or income generation. Household electricity is an add-on benefit of the project. The use of fossil-based fuel (kerosene, diesel) and cutting of trees as source of illumination materials shall also be reduced.

Trainings to be conducted include: hardware operation, trouble shooting, project management, community-based monitoring and evaluation, and watershed management.