AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS

• 2008 GREEN-E Renewable Energy Off-grid Electricity Generation Award
  "Lessons from the Field: SIBAT's Community-based Renewable Energy Systems"
  
  SIBAT has made an impact with CBRES as one solution to energy access for the rural poor. Since 1994, the birth of its Renewable Energy Program, SIBAT has been developing an approach based on social equity, community participation, and environmental justice which we termed as Community-Based Renewable Energy Systems (CBRES). The CBRES, SIBAT's developmental approach to rural poor development, are decentralized power supply systems established through multi-stakeholder efforts primarily with the significant participation of organized communities in project development, and are owned, managed and sustained by corresponding community organizations. They present an alternative form of social organization and natural resource management based on self-governance, self-development and self-management. They aim to provide the community a sustainable source of energy as a catalyst for rural development.
  
  The 2nd Green-E awarding ceremony was held in Makati-Shangri-la Hotel last 5th of December 2008. The event was supported by the World Energy Council and the Department of Trade and Industry-United Kingdom, which is also known collectively as the Center for Sustainable Energy-Southeast Asia. The award is a project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Department of Energy Capacity-Building to Remove Barriers to Renewable Energy Development (CBRED). (www.undp.org.ph)
  
  
• World Bank Market Place of Ideas: "Panibagong Paraan" 2008 Award
  "SIBAT's GO-NGO-PO Collaboration on Climate Change and Rural Development"
  
  SIBAT's winning entry focused on enhancing GO-NGO-PO awareness, capacity and collaboration in addressing adverse impacts of climate change, and of developing multi-stakeholder partnerships addressing adverse impacts of climate change through implementation of sustainable rural development initiatives in the Visayas region caught the interests and complements the theme of Panibagong Paraan 2008, "Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance."
  
  Panibagong Paraan is a unique bazaar of innovative ideas that provide solutions to the most pressing social and economic concerns of our country; ideas that deliver results and have the potential to be expanded or replicated (www.panibagongparaan.com).
  
  
• 2008 Energy Globe Award: The World Award for Sustainability
  "Community-based Renewable Energy Systems in the Philippines"
  
  SIBAT, with its program of Community-based Renewable Energy Systems in the Philippines was chosen as one of the finalists, along those from Spain and Austria, for the "ENERGY GLOBE AWARD" in the Fire category. SIBAT's project "Lessons from the Field" highlights the 14 installed micro-hydropower plants (developing three more) with a total generating capacity of 300 kW, that provide energy for lighting, rice/corn mills, sugarcane press, and livelihood activities, while the tailrace water is used for irrigation of croplands. SIBAT has also installed six solar powered water pumping facilities of water systems for drinking and irrigation needs of upland indigenous communities. SIBAT's community-based renewable energy systems are small, decentralized power supply systems established through multi-stakeholder efforts in Philippine rural poor communities mostly inhabited by indigenous peoples; the systems have a tangible impact on their economy, education and health, and lessen the burden on women and children.
  
  The tv gala award was held last May 26, 2008 in the Plenary Hall of the European Parliament in Brussel, being nominated with this prestigious award is quite an enthralling experience and honor to SIBAT and the communities served.
  
  
• World Bank Market Place of Ideas: "Panibagong Paraan" 2006 Award
  "SIBAT's 1-kilowatt Small Wind Turbine for Household Electrification"
  
  The 1-kilowatt small wind turbine for household electrification got the winning nod of the jury and general public in a 2-day Exhibit and Social Policy Forum, a culminating event of the "Panibagong Paraan 2006" held on May 26-27, 2006 at the Megatrade Halls, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. SIBAT's winning entry was entitled "Small Wind Energy Innovation and Development" and won P1M grant sponsorship from the US State Department for possible project replication in 3 locations namely: Brgy. Lamag, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; Brgy. Matarinao, Salcedo, Eastern Samar; and Brgy. Calango, Zamboanganita, Negros Oriental (www.panibagongparaan.com).
  
  The 1 kW 'Pinwind' can generate about 120kWh/month in a moderate location (5m/s wind speeds), which is sufficient for a typical household load, or alternately, supply enough power to run 80 10W light bulbs for 4 hours a night (see supplement feature on the SIBAT 'PinWind'). The two-day event is among the largest gathering of NGOs, LGUs, academes and private groups - all finalists, provided with exhibit, fora and learning events, which makes the Panibagong Paraan 2006 a veritable marketplace of ideas intended to promote innovative projects and bright approaches in addressing Philippine poverty.