Why We Wrote This The Philippines is heavily dependent on imported energy from the Middle East.
But this remote Indigenous community in the northern part of the country has spent years building its own energy system, uncoupled from imported fuel.
Roughly 3.6 million households across the Philippines live off the electrical grid – including about 1.2 million that rely on government-run, diesel-fueled power plants.
Mark Saludes Rodolfo Sagban stands inside a newly built micro-hydro facility in Nabuangan village.
The setup allows locals to charge personal devices, access all kinds of information, and stay connected without leaving the village.
The experience of Nabuangan is part of a broader shift in how energy is being reimagined in the Philippines.
“But for much of the country, especially remote and underserved communities, decentralized and community-managed systems can serve as a strong complement.”. »