Tawi-Tawi barangay gets
solar-powered fishing drying facility
Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for
Asia and the Near East, presents to Abdulhil Alih documents that
turns over to his barangay in Pababag, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, a solar-powered
facility for drying fish and seaweed. Alih is chairman of Barangay
Renewable Energy Community Development Association (BRECDA) in
Pababag Island. The facility, which is one of the projects of
the USAID-assisted Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy
(AMORE) Program, was turned over to the local community during
Ambassador Chamberlin’s visit to the island on July 11,
2003. Present at the ceremony were (from left) USAID Program Manager
Dr. Marie Ricciardone, Mirant Philippines President Edgardo Bautista,
Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and Bongao Mayor Albert Que.
(From left:) Philippine Energy Secretary Vincent
Perez, Ambassador Chamberlain, and Ambassador Ricciardone view
a solar-powered fish and seaweed drying facility in Pababag. Ambassador
Chamberlin, who was in the Philippines recently, visited other
USAID-assisted activities in Mindanao, including programs to integrate
former rebel combatants, expand education, promote healthy families,
revitalize local economies, strengthen local governance, and improve
the management of natural resources. AMORE, which led in establishing
the drying facility, assists former rebel combatants in remote
communities to install, operate and maintain renewable energy
systems.
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