Bagong Bayan is a coastal barangay (village) on Palawan Island. Its population is heavily dependent on fishing for their livelihood. In 2004, several nonprofit organizations (PCART, SIBAT and the Samahang Magbubukid ng Bagongbayan, a people’s organization), got funding from the United Nations Development Programme (GEF Small Grants), and collaborated to install a 20-kilowatt micro-hydro power system. It provides power for village electrification and for an ice plant, which support the livelihood of the Bagong Bayan fisherfolk.
Unfortunately, installers did not strictly follow specifications, and the micro-hydro system system needs repairs. A Seacology grant will fund the necessary repairs. To avoid the problems that occurred the first time, the community will work with a manufacturer who made and successfully tested a system in a village north of Luzon. SIBAT’s in-house consultant will closely supervise fabrication of the turbine.
In exchange for Seacology’s assistance, the village will protect 2,039 acres of forest, including 124 acres of mangroves.