Green energy champions conducted a Provincial Cooperatives’ Summit on Renewable Energy this Friday at Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro to promote solar financing among cooperatives and accessibility for Mindoreños.
REnew Mindoro and the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), in collaboration with the Oriental Mindoro Union Cooperative (OrMinCU) and the League of Cooperative Development Officers of the Philippines-Oriental Mindoro Chapter designed the summit to encourage cooperatives to explore financing programs for solarizing Mindoreño households.
“The energy transition must be made affordable for ordinary consumers, who suffer the economic and physical consequences of fossil fuel dependence. When opportunities for solarization are financed, consumers can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and choose where they source energy,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director for the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
The organizers stressed that Mindoro’s potential in renewable energy remains largely untapped due to major hurdles in financing for ordinary households and small businesses. They added that cooperatives microfinancing solar can address affordability constraints for consumers, minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, and small business owners.
“Solarizing Mindoro requires tapping into the networks of cooperatives to finance access to clean electricity for all Mindoreños. The only way to truly push for the energy transition in Mindoro is by ensuring all players – whether they are consumers, cooperatives, or public servants – are doing their part,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Convenor of REnew Mindoro.
“It is high time that cooperatives leverage their expansive networks and expertise in microfinancing for solar energy. This would not be merely investing in solar energy for its own sake, but for the economic empowerment of all Mindoreños. We can and should be trailblazers and pioneers for affordable and community-centered renewable energy that other provinces and local governments can adopt,” said Orlando Tizon, Provincial Cooperative Development Officer of the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro.
The organizers likewise emphasized the ecological benefits of making the switch to renewables.
“Tapping Mindoro’s renewable energy potential means letting go of fossil fuel over-dependence, and ultimately decarbonizing the Verde Island Passage and protecting its waters and its coastal communities,” said Arances.
“As the Super El Niño and other climate disasters loom over our country, household and livelihood resilience must be assured. Accessing renewable energy, through solar financing, is crucial for the preparation of our communities, especially those most vulnerable,” said Fr. Gariguez.
