PHILIPPINES, Barangay Bagong Bayan, Roxas, Palawan – June 2007
Rehabilitation of micro-hydro power generator in exchange for the protection and conservation of a 2,039-acre forest reserve (including 124 acres of mangroves) in perpetuity
Click photo to enlarge
Barangay Bagong Bayan is a coastal barangay (Filipino term for village or district) among the 25 barangays of Roxas, Palawan. Its population is heavily dependent on fishing for livelihood. In 2004, PCART, SIBAT and the Samahang Magbubukid ng Bagongbayan (SMB), a people’s organization, with funding support from the UNDP GEF – Small Grants Programme, collaborated to install a 20 kilowatt micro-hydro power system for village electrification and to power an ice plant facility to support the livelihood of the Bagong Bayan fisher folk. Unfortunately, specifications were not strictly followed, resulting in low system efficiency. To ensure that the same problem will be avoided, SIBAT, through its in-house consultant, will closely supervise the fabrication of the turbine, and the contract will be awarded to another turbine manufacturer who made and successfully tested a system in a village north of Luzon. In exchange for Seacology’s assistance, the barangay will conserve and protect 2,039 acres of forest land including 124 acres of mangrove area. *
UPDATE December 2007 - The project was put on hold in 2007 until the newly elected municipal officials approved to establish the protected area. In October 2007 the community and officials decided to increase the forest reserve from 1,450 acres to 2,039 acres. Plans for early 2008 include coordination with all parties involved in the project and ordering materials needed for the generator's rehabilitation.
UPDATE May 2008 - In early 2008 the project leaders experienced a delay in procuring the new turbine for the generator but have since contacted an alternative supplier to provide the equipment. Other equipment is onsite already and will be installed once the turbine is delivered. They expect that all materials will be available and installed by the end of June 2008.
UPDATE June 2009 - The technical team has completed the electro-mechanical installations at the power house as of February 2009. Currently, they are waiting for the cement curing of the new foundations to set for the reconfigured Francis turbine and generator, inside the powerhouse. Along with the electro-mechanical installation, the engineers conducted an inspection of the penstock line which revealed a 1 meter gap near the powerhouse, which made a change in the penstock pipe necessary. A new pipe has been ordered, hauled and has been refitted on site. The engineers are returning to the project site May 2009 for the final simulation and full systems tests. In the meantime, the rainforest is continuously being patrolled by forest guards organized by the community.
UPDATE December 2009 - As of December 2009, field representative Ferdie Marcelo reports that final simulation and full systems tests were conducted, and training of operators has been conducted. As of June 2009, 45 households are being supplied with 10 kilowatts of electricity 24 hours a day.
UPDATE June 2010 - As of June 2010 Ferdie reports that the micro-hydro power generator continues to provide electricity to the community, and is being operated by trained community members. Periodic maintenance is being conducted by technicians, and they last visited the site in February 2010. The watershed is still religiously patrolled, with no reports of poaching to date.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by: 
