Enlightened Partnership
Electricity benefits rural areas in many ways. Several studies in the past have found out that the benefits come in various forms such as improved business and farm productivity, enhanced convenience of household tasks, and better education for children who can read and do homework longer.
In a gathering of Micro Finance Institutions and Renewable Energy Service Providers organized by the Department of Energy (DOE) recently, the idea of a partnership to bring electricity to remote areas created awareness for potential business. At the same time, the event underscored the economic, social, and health benefits of renewable energy.
“Solar or other renewable energy is the only way to bring electricity to the remote barangays because to connect them to the main grid would be very costly for everybody,” explains Mylene Capongcol, DOE Director of the Rural Power Project-Project Management Office.
“Our goal is to provide adequate, affordable and reliable energy services in partnership with the private sector,” she emphasizes. Capongcol believes that renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic installation, small hydropower, wind and biomass systems could be competitive if market barriers to their adoption are significantly reduced.
That, and the rural community’s sense of ownership of the system are being addressed. In fact, a conference of the country’s leading MFIs and renewable energy providers has indicated that things are moving.
“There is no argument about the benefits of rural electrification through solar or mini-grid system. But businessmen would ask ‘what is in it for me?’. DOE’s responsibility is timely processing of application of the business sector who wants to participate. We can’t just blabber; we have to deliver to gain their trust because they need to secure their investment,” Capongcol explains.
In a Focus Discussion Group held among investors and service providers, most of them said they see their role not merely as business putting in the capital but also as entities helping bring about change in a community and in people’s lives. They perceive themselves as government’s partners, facilitators who can enable the community and the government to work together.
“This is the first time we heard about RPP and the use of solar energy to light up remote barangays and we are happy to partner with the government. This is an exciting time for us because our clients will finally benefit from electricity,” enthuses Dr. Cecilia del Castillo, Executive Director of Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation. As an MFI, the Foundation has been assisting thousands of families in the Visayas.
“We see solar power generation as a progression of our core business which is generator sets. We see our role as the government’s partner in bringing about change in the countryside,” says Gendiesel Phils. President T.R. Mohan.
For Freddie Larona, Executive Director of Center for the Advancement and Utilization of Sustainable Energy, being a partner means going a mile farther as facilitator so that end-users and government can work together.
Aside from the critical role of the business sector, one has to take a close look at the other side of the fence – the other participants such as the community of end users. Social preparation and mobilization is likewise critical as the success of RPP is hinged on the partnership.
“Tapping NGOs is crucial because they are the most effective change agents in the communities,” Capongcol remarks.
“You know, at the end of the day, it is not only the money I earned that matters but how I was able to bring about change in the lives of people especially children in remote barangays by setting up an electricity source,” Solar Electric Company President Robert Puckett explains. Being in the business for 30 years and setting up solar panels in countless areas in the provinces, this Iloilo businessman knows where he comes from.
With government policies, incentives, and social preparation for communities in place, the private sector, government as well as end-users may yet model the true meaning of partnership for change. Electricity will then have become responsive to the minimum basic need of people in communities.
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