A BIOMASS power plant project of the Department of Science and Technology will soon be in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, providing electricity and livelihood to the Manobos and neighboring Indigenous People’s (IP) community.
The biomass powerplant's establishment is under the Microgridterprises in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program of DOST, which aims to address energy access challenges in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro provinces.
Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino led the groundbreaking of the Microgridterprises project, reassuring the community that the national government, including DOST, is committed to extending services to the country's remote areas.
“Sana po pag nagbukas itong biomass facility ay tunay niyo itong mapakinabangan (I hope that when this facility opens, you can truly benefit from it),” Senator Tolentino added.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., represented by DOST Davao Assistant Regional Director Mirasol Domingo, also assured the community that the project is only one of the many initiatives the agency is doing to ensure inclusive development.
“Puhon magdala pa mi ug uban pa na programa sa DOST para magdala ug kaayuhan sa tanan (Soon we will bring more programs of the DOST for the good of all),” she added.
Adopting technology that promotes energy circularity will have economic and environmental advantages for the community as it produces electricity without costs and is also a sustainable energy option. It is also aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 7, which ensures access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Datu Ledio Man-Akil, one of the community leaders, expressed gratitude to the national government officials and agencies for the project, citing that it will significantly impact their community.
“Tanan na kakulangan namo diri inyoha nang nakita, busa ipaabot gyud namo among pasalamat sa pagtuman sa among pangandoy ilabi na ang pasuga (You have already seen our situation here so we extend our gratitude for granting our hopes for our community especially the electrification project),” he added.
The project is in partnership with Oro Energy Resources Corporation, AGAK Marketing Cooperative, University of Southeastern Philippines, and Ateneo de Davao University, which ultimately aims to achieve sustainable community electrification and enhance socio-economic activities of selected areas in the Davao Region. PR