Environmental research

The project will involve the development and institutionalization of a community-based resource management plan, i.e. watershed and biodiversity conservation for ensuring the sustainable supply of water for the micro hydropower project. The project therefore will have to components, (1) resource conservation and management, (2) development and installation of a community-based, community-owned and community-managed renewable energy system (micro hydropower project). The project is expected to encompass both biodiversity conservation and livelihood development for the target beneficiaries. There are three (3) objectives of the Project. These are the following: a. Promotion and development of a clean and renewable energy source through microhydro power development for household electrification and rice milling operation; 1. This objective is expected to further promote and develop the local community s initiative for environmentally conforming source of energy and its targeted benefits: illumination and income-generating equipment. b. Development and installation of a community-based biodiversity conservation and watershed protection project that will both address increasing food production and protection of existing natural resources. This project will be implemented with recognition of indigenous communities rights and practices; and 1. This objective is expected to respond to the socio-economic needs of the community since production of source of income is relatively backward. Income generating community-based projects such as basket, mats, and bracelet weaving would no longer be a daytime activity, but it can also be done during nighttime. Moreover, the installation of the Rice/Corn Mill would further improve their food security. Also, this objective was specifically design to conform to the existing indigenous rights and practices in responding to their need of food and its inherited obligation to protect their ancestral land. c. Building awareness on biodiversity conservation and use of renewable energy sources. 1. This objective is expected to further empower the indigenous in its inherited consciousness in their plight to conserve the remaining biodiversity.

Philippines