SIBAT Completes Rehab of Bagongbayan MHP

May 20, 2009 was a special day for celebrations for the small community of Bagongbayan in Roxas, Palawan. It was the barangay fiesta commemoration and it marked the successful rehabilitation of a 15kW microhydro project in the area.

Began in 2008, the rehabilitation of the microhydro project had 2 major objectives, namely to improve weir structure, installation, testing and commissioning of new electro-mechanical components; and to ensure project sustainability through the continued reforestation and protection of the local watershed area.

Both objectives have been successfully met, with the Installation of new electro-mechanical components such as the new double jet 'Francis turbine' and 3-phase electronic load control (ELC), which are results of local fabrication and innovation. Testing and commissioning came 3 days ahead of the community fiesta, and has since operated daily providing 45 households with 10 kW electricity.

SIBAT and SEACOLOGY turned over the project to Samahang Magsasaka sa Bagongbayan (SMB) in June 2009, which committed to sustain the local reforestation and forest protection activities.