Church, civil society and local government groups backed Mansalay’s bid to become Oriental Mindoro’s first renewable energy municipality and reduce its dependence on diesel power.
The Mansalay local government committed to solarizing its municipal complex, public markets, fishing port and barangay halls, according to REnew Mindoro, a coalition involving green advocates, the Church, civil society, financing institutions and renewable energy suppliers.
The coalition also backed a proposed ordinance that would declare Mansalay potentially the first renewable energy municipality in Oriental Mindoro.
REnew Mindoro said the town could serve as a model for other municipalities on the island seeking to shift to renewable energy.
“Mindoro’s communities are vulnerable to high-cost and unreliable electricity because of their dependence on diesel, which accounts for the vast majority of energy capacity in the island,” said Gerry Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development.
Arances said country’s energy department indicates that the island has renewable energy potential at 343 MW, but our study with Climate Analytics shows a potential of 1,140MW for rooftop solar power alone.
“That potential for renewables must be maximized, because solar is the most practical and affordable alternative for powering Mindoro,” he added.
REnew Mindoro will hold a renewable energy caravan at the Mansalay Municipal Gymnasium on Sept. 5, bringing together solar power suppliers, private financing institutions and communities interested in shifting to solar energy.
Organizers said the caravan would provide opportunities for residents to engage directly with solar providers and financiers as part of the campaign for “abot-kamay at abot-kayang kuryente para sa bawat Mindoreño.”
The Catholic Church has also promoted a transition to solar power across the island through its Diocesan Energy Transition Roadmap.
“Mansalay is only the beginning, with the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria using a solar power system since March,” said Bishop Moises Cuevas of the Diocese of Calapan.
The prelate said parishes across the island are also switching to solar under our Diocesan Energy Transition Roadmap.
“The Church has been steadfast in strengthening the momentum to protect Mindoro’s ecology and to ensure affordable, clean, and democratized energy for all, especially the vulnerable and indigenous communities across the island,” he added.
REnew Mindoro said the transition should also protect local wildlife and ecosystems, including the Verde Island Passage and communities that depend on its marine resources.
“By switching to solar and ridding our diesel dependence, we let go of expensive and dirty electricity. The Verde Island Passage (VIP) has endured all manner of pollution spewed by fossil fuel use,” said Rev. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect Verde Island Passage.
“When we transition to renewables, we thus protect the marine wildlife and the coastal communities that consider the VIP as their home and livelihood,” the priest added.
