WINROCK International, headed by project director Jim Orprecio together with Kohie Noda of the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, and Yong Ping Xai of Asian Development Bank, led the turnover of various projects in the municipality of Cauayan and the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay, implemented under the Renew Negros project or the Renewable Energy and Livelihood Development for the Poor in Negros Occidental.

A unit of solar/biomass hybrid dryer for drying of marine products that costs P250,000 and three solar panels that costs over P300,000 that will be used for battery and solar lantern charging, were turned over to Matabas Molocaboc Fishermen Association (Mamfa) in sitio Matabas, Barangay Molocaboc, Sagay City. It will benefit a total of 158 households in the area.

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The micro-hydro powerhouse that costs over P6-million with a 21-kW capacity for household electrification and livelihood applications was also turned over to Baclao Development Cooperative (Badeco), which is expected to benefit a total of 200 families in the area. The water source is the Nagtalon Falls in the barangay.

A multi-functional agri-mill connected to the powerhouse that costs P740,000 and has the capacity of milling approximately 800 kg per eight hours was also turned over to Badeco. It mills rice, corn and coffee.

The hydraulic ram pump located in sitio Bagacay, Barangay Inapoy, Kabankalan City that provides potable water for household use, backyard and livestock raising and vegetable gardening benefits 60-100 households.

The project that costs over P300,000 was operational since June 2006. It produces 36,288 liters/day. It was turned over to the Bagacay Small Framers Association (Basfa).

Those projects were officially turned over to the beneficiaries during the conduct of the project Review mission from June 29 to July 1 this year.

Renew Negros, as implemented by Winrock International, aims to reduce poverty by providing and promoting the efficient use of sustainable renewable energy supply to promote sustainable livelihood systems for poor local communities.

The project is financially supported by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction through the Asian Development Bank, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

Renew Negros started the implementation of these projects August 2004 in the municipalities of Toboso, Calatrava, Murcia and Cauayan and the cities of Kabankalan, Himamaylan, San Carlos and Sagay.

Governor Isidro Zayco thanked Winrock and ADB for choosing Negros Occidental as recipient of their projects during their courtesy call and presentation of project accomplishments at the Governor’s Office Thursday.

The Review Mission also included Engr. Ronie Sarmiento of DOE-Manila, Engrs. Ed Amante, Jun Baclay and Felix Timbal of DOE-Visayas, Olivia Sales, Charina Lantican and Marietta Gersaniva of Winrock Int’l, and Engr. Jojo Amugod of the Negros Occ. Provincial Planning and Development Office, among others.