MINDORO Island is gearing to transition to renewable energy, starting with the town of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, to champion accessible and affordable electricity for the people of Mindoro.
Mindoro Island is shared by two adjoining provinces-Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.
To jumpstart its transition to renewable energy, various groups spearheaded by the Renew Mindoro will hold a caravan in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro in collaboration with environmental advocates, the Church, civil society, financing institutions, renewable energy suppliers, and local government, towards solarizing vulnerable communities in Mindoro.
The event on September 5 at the Mansalay Municipal Gymnasium involves key solar power suppliers and private financing institutions. REnew Mindoro said the caravan will provide opportunities to engage with solar power providers and to engage with financiers.
‘Mindoro’s communities are vulnerable to [expensive] and unreliable electricity because of their dependence on diesel, which accounts for the vast majority of energy capacity in the island. The Department of Energy (DOE) indicates that the island has renewable energy potential at 343 MW, but our study with Climate Analytics shows a potential of 1,140MW for rooftop solar power alone. That potential for renewables must be maximized, because solar is the most practical and affordable alternative for powering Mindoro,’ said Gerry Arances, Executive Director for the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
REnew Mindoro is pushing for the declaration of Mansalay as potentially the first ‘renewable energy municipality’ in the province.
Mansalay is poised to be the frontrunner for the island province’s energy transition, with REnew Mindoro noting that it will be the role model for other municipalities to make the shift.
‘Mansalay is only the beginning, with the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria using a solar power system since March. Parishes across the island are also switching to solar under our Diocesan Energy Transition Roadmap. The Church has been steadfast in strengthening the momentum to protect Mindoro’s ecology and to ensure affordable, clean, and democratized energy for all, especially the vulnerable and indigenous communities across the island,’ said Bishop Moises Cuevas of the Diocese of Calapan.
REnew Mindoro said their push for renewables shall likewise promote the protection of local wildlife and ecosystems surrounding the province.
‘By switching to solar and ridding our diesel dependence, we let go of expensive and dirty electricity. The Verde Island Passage [VIP] has endured all manner of pollution spewed by fossil fuel use. When we transition to renewables, we thus protect the marine wildlife and the coastal communities that consider the VIP as their home and livelihood,’ said Rev. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Lead Convenor of Protect Verde Island Passage (Protect VIP).
To further strengthen Mindoro’s switch to renewables, the Mansalay local government unit (LGU) has committed to solarizing the municipal complex, public markets, the fishing port, and barangay halls. Their contributions shall showcase to the public and to other LGUs that renewable energy equates to lower costs, reliable electricity, and better public service delivery.