PHILIPPINES, Sitio Lobo, Barangay Ned, Municipality of Lake Sebu, Mindanao Island - July 2010
Micro-hydro power generator and fruit tree nursery in support of the protection of 6,178 acres of watershed forest within the 18,150-acre ancestral claim of the T’boli and Manobo tribes
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Lake Sebu is within the southern Tiruray Highlands of Mindanao Island at an altitude of almost 1,000 feet, and is under the protection of the National Integrated Protected Area System Act (NIPAS Act), which was passed in 1992. It is surrounded by rolling hills and forested mountains, and is home to the T'boli, a highland tribe known for their colorful costumes, intricate beadwork, woven work and brass ornaments. The Manobos, who also live in the region, inhabit the river valleys, hillsides, plateaus and interiors. The lake and the surrounding rainforest are a natural habitat to several endemic bird species, as well as wild boar and Philippine deer. The community of Sitio Lobo has a total area of 18,150 acres; within this area is a watershed of 6,178 acres. While the watershed is already protected by the NIPAS Act, the tribes have committed to work with Barangay Ned for the issuance of an ordinance declaring the watershed as a no-take zone. Sitio Lobo does not have electricity; Seacology is providing funding for a 30-kilowatt micro-hydro power station in support of their efforts to protect their watershed for a minimum of 30 years. Technical assistance will be provided by partner NGO YAMOG, who also coordinated the Seacology-funded project to provide a micro-hydro system and fruit tree nursery to the Mindanao community of Old Bulatukan in support of the protection of 744 acres of watershed.
UPDATE January 2011 - Work on the micro-hydro power generator began after simple ground-breaking ceremonies September 16, 2010. The weir/intake, headrace canal, forebay tank, pressure pipes and powerhouse are being constructed at this time. The turbine has been ordered and is being manufactured. Partner organization Yamog, estimates that the project will be finished by September 2011.
UPDATE June 2011 - The weir/intake, headrace canal, forebay tank, pressure pipes and powerhouse are nearly completed. Heavy rains in the early months of this year have made trips to and from the remote site difficult, and have hampered the delivery of materials to the site. Because of this, our partner organization, Yamog, revised its project completion estimate to January 2012.
