Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions (SOLARES) Project, a 3-year EU-funded project in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), facilitated the Coordination and Harmonization Meeting held at Hotel Esse, Davao City on February 21, 2019. Among the attendees are Ms. Carol Maningo from EU Delegation, Mr. Ian Driscall from World Bank, Mr. Douglas Liner from the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) and Ms. Shunie Pearl Palacios from PEF. Also present were representatives and management staff from the Department of Energy (DoE), MINDA, SUKELCO and SURECO. The meeting was an avenue for stakeholders to share solar-related project experiences and for Mahintana to harmonize initiatives to implement SOLARES Project successfully.
SOLARES Project Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon presented the target areas and beneficiaries, the project framework, the solar home system (SHS) design options, and the project implementation plan. Discussions included concerns such as the target areas’ accessibility, the SHS specification options, the livelihood programs, electrification, the procurement processes, the installation of the solar load vending stations, and the sustainability of the project. With the inputs given by the group, Mahintana noted replicable existing systems and will consult EU for major amendments in the project concept. EU Programme Officer Ms. Carol Maningo stated that the project may be overwhelming, yet, it can be beneficial to Mahintana, and the partners, esp. the beneficiaries. DoE Director Mr. Mario Marasigan encouraged the body to work together for the total electrification of the off-grid in Region 12 and ARMM through the provision of SHS.
