In Italian, Amore stands for love, but it also stands for the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE). In a way that acronym is apt for the kind of work that they are doing, which is providing electricity to isolated areas in the Philippines. Because for some locations in the Philippines, Renewable Energy(RE) is not just an option, it is “the” only option.
I was originally tipped off by one of my blog readers of this group, looking at their site I found out what makes them different from other renewable energy projects. AMORE focuses their Renewable Energy efforts on conflict ridden areas.
Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu were made famous by the Abu Sayyaf, a notorious terrorist and kidnap for ransom group, because they operated in these areas. Also, wars between the Philippine Government and the Muslim Independents usually occur within this region. Despite that, AMORE continued to install solar panels and mini-hydro projects that provided electricity and communications to the civilian population.
According to their site:
AMORE is a joint project undertaken by USAID, Mirant Philippine Foundation, the Philippine Department of Energy, the Government of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Winrock International that aims to develop a sustainable approach to rural electrification hinged on organizing communities for self-propelled development.
Group Accomplishments
Just to site some of their accomplishments, they have been responsible for:
- Providing Electricity to 11,305 households, 143 community centers, 20 barangay halls, and 340 streets in 396 barangays in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, Maguindanao, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, Sultan Kudarat, and Davao via the installation of Renewable Energy Systems (393 barangays with photovoltaic systems and three with microhydro power)
- Providing electricity to 90 schools which were used to power facilities, distance education and one computer-based child learning facility.
- Establishing one computer center.
- Providing electricity to two community theaters.
- Providing electricity to power 48 public calling offices to establish communications.
Renewable Energy as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development and Peace:
It has long been determined that one of the main reasons why ordinary folks are easily recruited by terrorist organizations is because of a lack of livelihood and means to earn a living.
Citing the Datu Paglas experience, where an American company helped setup a banana plantation in a neighboring province that provided 2000 jobs to ex-combatants. When conflict erupted again between the government and their former comrades, they refused to join in the war against the government because they realized that they were contented already with their jobs and found no need to bear arms.
For these conflict areas, Renewable Energy is not only a means to get off the grid and save the environment. It is their means to spur development, empower people and live productive lives.
According to a survey, the impact on the recipient communities provided with RE based electricity were:
- Extended time for studying and livelihood activities.
- Decline in cases of theft.
- Increased confidence, skills and drive to communally pursue own development and solicit the support of other development partners.
- Empowerment of women and the youth to participate in community development.
- Declining inclination to join rogue groups and increasing commitment to resolve conflicts in favor of sustained development.
Truly a noble and admirable organization because of their selfless community work. One sad news however is the exit of Mirant Philippines from the country due to their assets being purchased by Tokyo Electric-Marubeni after they filed for bankruptcy in the US. They bid farewell with a final $1 Million check issued to AMORE to help them reach their goal of 100% electrification of Off-Grid areas in Mindanao by 2008.
How this will affect the organization and their efforts, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Category: Misc
