Project Detail

Watershed Conservation and Management and Microhydro Power Development for Electrification and Livelihood Project

The project aims to develop and install a community-based renewable energy system,a 25-kW micro-hydro power system in Brgy. Bagong Bayan, Roxas, Palawan. It also aims to develop and conserve the Desay watershed to ensure a sustained water supply for the MHP and to enhance the resource conditions of Bagong Bayan.

The project will involve the installation and development of a.) A doable community-based watershed conservation and protection plan to ensure a steady supply for the micro-hydropower project; b.) A 25-kW micro-hydropower for household electrification and ice production plant to be powered by the proposed MHP.

The Alibanua Range is the highest mountain in Roxas and Dumaran having an elevation ranging from 100 to 300 meters above sea level. It is also the catchment basin of two major rivers in Palawan, the Ilian and Taradungan Rivers. Ilian River originates from the southern part of Brgy. San Antonio and flows to Brgy. Taradungan. The catchment basin has an estimated area of 518 hectares. Alibanua mountain range provides primary forest cover to the interior western side of Bagong Bayan and other parts of the adjacent barangays.

The proposed watershed area for development is 90% primary forest but needs rehabilitation due to wind, forest fires, landslide destruction and illegal logging. The watershed area is classified as timberland and has no Community Based Forest Management Project yet. Some of the community members however reported to have CSC, which approximately covers 30 hectares.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology, Inc.

Country:

Philippines

Area Of Work:

Multifocal Area

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 46,194.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 11,956.74

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 10,514.81

Project Number:

PHI/19/02 GEF-RNE

Start Date:

6/2002

End Date:

5/2006

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

None.

Capacity - Building Component

The MHP project is intended to be a community-based endeavor with a primary objective to provide energy services to Bagong Bayan households and community. Policy formulation and day-to-day operational management shall be undertaken by a committee to be created for the project. As a community-based project, MHP development will necessary entail community organizing and social preparation, mobilization for the actual implementation and the eventual management of the MHP system. The management structure shall be defined during the Phase 1 implementation, and will be hammered out until Phase 1 completion. Trainings on project management, both for the power and ice plants, shall be intensively conducted during Phase 2 implementation. Revenues to be generated shall be plowed back for the operation and sustainability of the MHP system. Financial management shall be undertaken and will constitute a key aspect of project management.

Notable Community Participation

The implementation and management of the project at the installation phase will be a joint effort of the Bagong Bayan community, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Bagong Bayan (SMB), Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology (PCART), and Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT). The team will make an overall project plan including the detailed technical implementation plans while PCART and SMB will look into the organization i.e., project management formation and mobilization. The project team shall go by a detailed schedule and shall meet regularly or as required in order to check on the progress and immediately act on problems.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The primary livelihood application of the proposed MHP system is the operation of an ice plant for the fisherfolks of Bagong Bayan and neighboring barangays. It is seen that an accessible facility to produce block ice would incur savings (cheaper costs and minimal or transportation cost) for the nine (9) fishing barangays in Roxas and neighboring towns. The ice plant facility is intended for the income generating component of the microhydro power system. The ice production plant is a 4-tonner equipment to e powered by the MHP. Community consultation revealed that the community prioritizes the livelihood component of the proposed microhydro power system that is expected to produce a large volume of benefits.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project will be able to conserve the 518 hectares of forest land and the community will be able to develop and install the 25kW capacity micro-hydropower system in Brgy. Bagong Bayan, Roxas Palawan for: energy requirements for lighting and operation of small household appliances of 143 households; operation of an ice plant and fish storage facility for nine (9) barangays; and possibly for the operation of a rice mill for the farmers of Bagong Bayan. It will also develop the local capacity of Bagong Bayan for managing community-based development projects i.e., MHP and ice plant system and watershed conservation. The quality and availability of household lighting is expected to improve with MHP electrification. Hence, study periods and habits are expected to increase and improve respectively. Further, school lighting and use of electricity-driven equipment (e.g. computers) are expected to improve, similarly. Part of the sustainability mechanism of the MHP system for ice production and household electrification is the rehabilitation and development of the source's watershed or catchment basin.

Project Results

The following initial outputs were achieved: A community organization with development orientation emerged; A micro-hydropower system was installed and ready for use; and A community policy on MHP was created and adopted (i.e. utilization, operation, maintenance and other related concerns).

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