More remote ARMM barangays to be electrified with renewable energy

Close to 200 remote, conflict-affected villages mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are slated to enjoy electricity from solar photovoltaic and microhydro power systems with the reaffirmation today by the lead partners of the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) Program of their commitment to the program. 

Signing their Joint Declaration of Principles of Alliance under the AMORE Program at the Westin Philippine Plaza in Pasay City were Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) / Philippines Mission Director Jon Lindborg; Mirant Philippines Foundation President and Chairman Edgardo Bautista; ARMM Manila Liaison Office Chief Moslemin Bansuan; and Winrock International – AMORE Acting Chief of Party Chris Kopp.

Witnessing the signing were Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Melinda Ocampo; USAID Office of Energy and Environment Chief Daniel Moore; Mirant Philippines Foundation Executive Director Roberto Calingo; ARMM Consultant Datu Motim Aplal; and Winrock-AMORE Technical Manager Dave Balleza. 

The Joint Declaration spelled out the vision, goals, bases of unity, and roles and responsibilities of the five entities under the AMORE Program. 

The AMORE Program was launched in February 2002 to sustainably electrify at least 200 barangays principally in the ARMM, which could not be connected to the power grid, with stand-alone renewable energy systems such as solar and microhydro. It supports the DOE’s goal of total barangay electrification in 2008 and 90% household electrification in 2017. The second phase of the Program, again targeting sustainable electrification of at least 200 additional barangays mainly in the ARMM, was launched in October 2004 and will run until September 2009.