Gender and Renewable Energy in The Philippines: A community-based microhydro project in Kalinga and a PV-battery charging station in Southern Leyte
Abstract
Community-based renewable energy (RE) projects have been shown to provide greater accessibility to community members in remote areas. Through two case studies, this report aims to document the role of women in community projects and the impacts of RE projects on women in the areas of production, reproduction and community participation. The two projects covered are of a community-based microhydro project (MHP) in Tulgao, Tinglayan, Kalinga and a photovoltaic battery charging station (PV-BCS) in Malitbog, Southern Leyte. The two Tulgao villages (East and West) in Kalinga are populated by indigenous peoples belonging to the Tulgao tribe of the CAR. New Katipunan and Cadaruhan Sur in Malitbog, Leyte are populated by native Visayans. The findings of the two case studies confirmed that the installation of the MHP and the PV-BCS have contributed to improving the lives of the residents through increased economic resources, environmental protection, improved health and wellbeing and better socio-cultural and political activities. Both projects also involved considerable contributions by women in mobilisation and task completion, thus enhancing community participation