COMMUNITY-BASED MICROHYDRO SYSTEM: ITS IMPACT AMONG
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Constantino T. Sudaypan
Department of Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet 2601, Philippines
Email: csudaypan@yahoo.com
Abstract: The development and use of community-based microhydro system as alternative
source of energy have been found appropriate towards energy self-sufficiency of Indigenous
People communities in the northern mountains of the Philippines. A case study on three
community-based microhydro systems in the northern part of the Philippines was conducted to
substantively evaluate its social impact in terms of acceptability as alternative source of energy,
satisfaction of energy needs, livelihood activities, skills enhancement, educational and
recreational opportunities, and environmental awareness. The community-based microhydro
system is a highly acceptable alternative source of electricity because it satisfies the energy needs
of the Indigenous Peoples for lighting and operation of household appliances for education,
recreation, and communication purposes. It also supports sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Responsibility-sharing among the various stakeholders is a necessity for the successful
installation and sustained operation of the system. The youth, women, and elderly have
respective roles during the installation and operation of the microhydro system.
Eventually, the system provided opportunities for livelihood activities among the Indigenous
Peoples. This was made possible through the integration of a micro rice mill to the system,
extended business hours of sari-sari stores, and extended working hours among villagers in their
woodcarving industry. Operation of the system also favored the development and/or
enhancement of competencies among the officers and members of the Barangay Alternative
Power Association. The existence of the community-based microhydro system enhanced
environmental awareness among the villagers. According to the respondents, the microhydro
system is an appropriate water resource management package since it commands people to
safeguard their ecosystem. This is with the premise that destruction of forest resources will lead
to scarcity of water and eventually cease the operation of the microhydro system.
Keywords: Community-based microhydro system, Northern Philippines, Indigenous Peoples
Introduction: Rural electrification is one of the most vital issues in the Philippines where
considerable number of barangays have yet to be energized. Electricity is a basic and priority
need for it doesn’t only serve to meet the requirements of life support systems but it is a prime
mover of all development endeavors (Philippine Energy Plan 2002-2011). However, providing
electricity to all barangays through grid connection is very expensive and takes a considerable
amount of time. This is because most of the remaining unenergize barangays are in the
missionary areas, which are unviable due to accessibility problems and very far distance from
electricity grid networks. In most of the rural areas particularly those located at remote
mountainous regions like the Cordillera, connection to existing transmission lines is costly if not
impossible. People have to resort to kerosene or fuelwood for illumination and cooking, and
diesel fuel to run generators for electricity and to drive machinery for agricultural use. Thus,
Renewable Energy (RE) systems or systems which convert renewable energy resources into
either electrical or mechanical energy forms are becoming recognized widely as socially
appropriate and least-cost technologies for rural electrification (Cordillera Regional Dev’t Plan
1999-2004).
In its desire to have a strong and functional link to the grassroots, the Department of Energy
(DOE) established Affiliated Renewable Energy Centers (ARECs) in strategic State Universities
and Colleges. The Benguet State University - AREC serves as the extension arm of the DOE in
the administration and management of the Rural Electrification Program in the Cordillera.
Established in 1989, the AREC has been receiving financial support from the DOE and physical
and manpower resources from BSU. One of the priority objectives of the AREC is electrification
of remote and off-grid communities. In line with this objective, the AREC was able to electrify a
notable number of barangays mostly with Community-Based Microhydro System (CBMS) or
stand-alone microhydro schemes with installed capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts. These
schemes are claimed to be community-based since they are built, operated, maintained and
owned by the communities themselves (BSU-AREC Annual Report, 2004).
With the increasing energy demand in the rural communities, the AREC opted to design,
fabricate and install kilowatt-level or bigger microhydro schemes and the first unit was installed
in Palasapas, San Jose City in Nueva Ecija, in cooperation with the Central Luzon State
University – ANEC. After the successful pilot-testing of the first kilowatt-level crossflow turbine,
the BSU-AREC eventually became instrumental in the electrification of several off-grid
barangays in the Cordillera through CBMS (BSU-AREC Annual Report, 2007). However, the
absence of a scheme that can accurately account the economic, social and environmental
contributions of CBMS in the Cordillera is probably the main reason why the energy share and
concern of the remote and depressed communities still remain unknown. The output, outcome
and impact of these very small, stand-alone, run-of-river, community-based, and social energy
projects on the national energy mix have long been and are still not given significant importance.
The study aimed at characterizing the social changes brought about by the operation of the
CBMS in terms of acceptability as alternative source of electricity, satisfaction of energy needs
for lighting, operation of household appliances, and livelihood activities, role of youth, women,
and elderly during the installation and operation of the CBMS, competency areas of Barangay
Alternative Power Association (BAPA). It is, therefore, expected that results of this study will
showcase a substantive blueprint in pursuit of some reforms in the existing electrification
policies; wider promotion of renewable energy development and conservation; and effective
private sector participation in the electrification of rural areas.
Methodology: A substantive evaluation on the social changes brought about by the BSU-AREC
installed CBMS in Ba-ang and Nungulunan, Hungduan in the province of Ifugao; and Tawangan,
Kabayan in the province of Benguet was conducted. These barangays are hosts to three CBMS
installed by the BSU-AREC. They have met the criteria set by the AREC in the selection of
community-based microhydro project. Table 1 shows the sites and features of the three CBMS.
The study employed both quantitative and qualitative descriptive structures of research. The
quantitative evaluation was used in the economic contributions and environmental impact of the
CBMS. These components were characterized in terms of tangible output or outcome parameters.
On the other hand, the qualitative evaluation was reflected on the social changes brought about
by the operation of CBMS. The key informants for the economic contributions were the BAPA
officers, system operators, and senior personnel of the BSU-AREC. Moreover, all direct
household end users were considered respondents for the social impacts. Furthermore, a
triangulation of archival, key informant interview, focus group discussion and transect walk was
used to gather pertinent data. Meanwhile, actual observations were undertaken to validate
answers of respondents.
Table 1. Features of the CBMS
FEATURE
System capacity (kW)
Load per household (W)
Number of end users
Operation hours per day
Monthly tariff/household (PhP)
Date Commissioned
COMMUNITY-BASED MICROHYDRO SYSTEM
Dayandi
Howang
Tawangan
3
40
44
12
20.00
Sept 1997
5
40
96
12
20.00
April 2002
5
40
46
12
40.00
May 2001
Results, Discussions and Conclusions: The impact of the CBMS among the Indigenous Peoples
in Northern Philippines is manifested by the social changes brought about by its implementation
and operation. This section presents the social changes brought about by the implementation and
operation of the three CBMS.
Acceptability of CBMS as alternative source of energy. CBMS is a highly acceptable alternative
source of electricity in the three communities. In a descending order of preference, the reasons
for the high acceptability of CBMS are as follows: it reduced dependence on fossil fuel; it had no
adverse environmental effect; it is low cost; it promoted equal access among the end users; it
provided stable and reliable energy supply; it utilized local materials and easy to install; it
satisfied the energy needs for lighting of the community, and it created opportunity of
developing income generating activities. CBMS is a well-accepted alternative source of
electricity considering its characteristic of providing renewable form of energy to incur new
lease of life. Nevertheless, providing electricity for lighting alone does not automatically bring
development. Additional efforts have to be made and inputs provided to trigger activities to meet
desired outcomes and impacts.
Cost of monthly savings. As to the end users’ cost of monthly savings on energy brought about
by the operation of the CBMS, 50% of the end users saved PhP81.00 to PhP100.00 per month
when compared to their monthly expenditure on kerosene as previous source of energy for
lighting. The amount they are presently paying to the BAPA is very much cheaper as compared
to the previous PhP100.00 to PhP120.00 for their 3 to 4 liters kerosene consumption per month.
Moreover, some end users saved PhP41.00 to PhP80.00 per month. Few saved PhP21.00 to
PhP40.00, and more than PhP100.00. At least three claimed to have saved PhP20.00 and below
per month.
Cost of fossil fuel displaced by the CBMS. The total cost of fossil fuel displaced by the operation
of the three CBMS is PhP297,653,288.43 (Figure 1). The Figure implies that had there been no
microhydro systems in Dayandi, Howang, and Tawangan, the total amount of
PhP297,653,288.43 could have been spent by the villagers in buying fossil fuel for lighting.
CBMS is an environment friendly technology. Its utilization displaces fossil fuels and avoids
emission of greenhouse gases eventually destroying mother earth. On the other hand, it has sets
of advantages and disadvantages. As such, it brings either positive or negative side-effects to the
socioeconomic well-being of a community.
Livelihood activities. Operation of the CBMS brought livelihood opportunities to many residents.
All the 38 villagers benefited by a rice mill are end users of the Howang CBMS. The micro rice
mill was operated weekly at eight hours per day of operation. The operator used to mill an
average of 25 cans (approximately 18 kilograms/can) per day and collected seven pesos per can
of milled rice. The micro rice mill powered by the Howang CBMS is shown in Plate 1. Some end
users who are engaged in woodcarving gained extended working hours with the quality lighting
brought about by the operation of the CBMS. Only few, those who have sari-sari stores,
benefited from extended business hours. Plates 2 and 3 reflect the effect of the CBMS to
woodcarvers and storeowners.
Satisfaction of energy needs. The energy needs of the end users for lighting is highly satisfied.
Their energy needs for operation of household appliances, on the other hand, is moderately
satisfied since they wanted to acquire and use communication, recreation, and education devices
but the microhydro system is only capable of producing the necessary power to operate
small/light household appliances. On the energy needs for livelihood activities, only the
storeowners and woodcarvers are moderately satisfied due to extended business/working hours.
Household appliances powered by the CBMS. Aside from the household lighting fixtures, small
household appliances are powered by the electricity generated from the CBMS. As to the
frequency of usage, the cellular phone chargers, AM/FM radios, cassette tape recorders, and
television are used daily at an average of 4 hours per usage; radio transceivers and rechargeable
flashlights, twice a week at 2 hours per usage; and CD player, once a week at 4 hours per usage.
Figure 1. Distribution of CBMS as to equivalent cost of fossil fuel
displaced (PhP)
Plate 1. Micro rice mill powered by the
Howang CBMS
CFL powered by
the communitybased microhydro
system
Plate 2. Provision of energy for lighting extended the
working hours of woodcarvers in Ifugao
Plate 3. Conduct of interview among storeowners
revealed that operation of the CBMS
extended their business hours
Participatory project implementation. The youth, women, and elderly have their respective roles
during the installation of the CBMS (Plate 4). The youth and women participated in the
collection and hauling of aggregates, cooking or preparing
of food for the workers, and clearing the powerhouse and
forebay sites. Meanwhile, the elderly participated in the
construction of the powerhouse and forebay. The other roles
of the elderly in a descending order of preference are as
follows: collection and hauling of aggregates; excavation
and other civil works; clearing of powerhouse and forebay
site; layout of penstock; and cooking or preparation of food Plate 4. Involvement of youth and women
during the installation of the CBMS
for workers.
Besides, the elderly played an important role in the settlement of conflicts/problems and in
planning. An excellent multi-participatory and complementary project management scheme,
which abides by the culture and heritage of the community, facilitates the installation and
operation of CBMS. Moreover, the BAPA is a pre-requisite for a successful CBMS. It provides a
functional framework for appropriate operation and maintenance, and creates avenue for
empowerment.
Competency of BAPAs. As claimed by all end users, the BAPA officers became competent in
the conduct of appropriate and timely meeting; and in the creation of written policies for the
proper care, operation, and maintenance of the CBMS. It is common among the three CBMS that
meetings are conducted quarterly. Nevertheless, emergency meetings are called upon as the need
arises. It is the BAPA chairman that calls for meetings. Besides, the policy areas are as follows:
setting of monthly tariff (in-cash and in-kind) for lighting; imposing penalty for delinquent tariff
payers, illegal connections, non-attendance to meeting; limiting of energy use for lighting;
prohibition of incandescent bulbs for lighting; prohibition of unauthorized persons entering the
powerhouse; designation of operator; and incentives to treasurer, secretary, operator, and
lineman. Furthermore, the BAPAs posses the following competencies: appropriate and timely
settlement of problems/disputes, strict implementation of sanctions, appropriate accounting and
bookkeeping procedures, payment of incentives, and participatory program planning.
Other social changes. The CBMS also influenced tourism in the community. Likewise, local,
national, and even international research and development institutions visited the community and
conducted interview among the end users. All end users revealed that children are enticed to
have longer study hours with the better quality lighting. Plate 5 shows one of the contributions of
the CBMS on education. Other changes brought about by the operation of the CBMS are as
follows: convenience in doing household chores at night with the type of lighting; longer hours
of performing traditional festivities; possibilities of conducting meetings in the evening;
increased bonding hours within and among family members; developed/enhanced obedience
among children; enhanced water supply along the irrigation system; no more nose and eye
irritation [as experienced with the previous kerosene lamps and biomass resources]; decreased
collection of biomass resources [pith wood for lighting]; recreation, communication, and
education opportunities from operation of household appliances; Plate 6 reflects one of the
household chores that can be done at night as effected by the operation of the CBMS. It is also
intriguing that some end users claimed that the CBMS was instrumental in decreasing respiratory
ailments [as resulted from change of energy source for lighting], and birthrate [due to extended
household activities even at night].
Plate 5. Students as among the immediate end users of the
lighting facilities (encircled) powered by the
CBMS
Plate 6. The traditional and tedious pounding of rice
may already be done during the night with a
quality lighting facility
References:
BSU-AFFILIATED RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER ANNUAL REPORT. 2004. BSU, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
BSU-AFFILIATED RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER ANNUAL REPORT. 2007. BSU, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
CORDILLERA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN. 1999-2004. Cordillera Development
Council.
PHILIPPINE ENERGY PLAN, 2002-2011. Energy Planning and Monitoring Bureau.
Department of Energy.
SUDAYPAN, C.T. 2009. Efficiency and Effectiveness of Community-Based Microhydro
System for Electrification of Remote and Off-Grid Communities in the Cordillera.
Unpublished Dissertation. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.