Philippines

Yongping Zhai, ADB Principal Energy Specialist, holds up the kerosene lamp that was replaced by the CFC fluorescent lamp powered by the ADB-funded mini-hydro power plant at a sari-sari store in Balea, Negros Occidental.

Toboso Mayor Evelio Valencia (left) starts up the mini-hydro power plant as Yongping Zhai, ADB Principal Energy Specialist and Kohei Noda, Financial Attache, Japanese embassy look on (third and fourth from left, respectively).

The mighty Dalinson River which powers up the mini hydro-power plant in Barangay Bug-Ang.

Photo shows Governor Isidro Zayco (middle) receiving a copy of the RENEW Fund Memorandum of Agreement from Yongping Zhai, ADB Principal Energy Specialist with (from left) Director Antonio Labios of Department of Energy-Visayas, which is the project's executing agency; Executive Director Cecilia del Castillo of Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, which will manage the fund; and Jim Orprecio of Winrock International which is implementing the project.

Another 32kw micro-hydro power plant, with a project cost of P7.6 million, was also commissioned in Sitio Balea, Barangay Laga-an, Municipality of Calatrava.

The grain mill operation will boost the production of rice and corn in the area, reduce the cost of processing/milling in nearby communities, and ensure better market and price for farmers' produce.

Part of Toboso's rocky road network made up of clay-like soil, in far-flung Sitio Vergara in Bug-ang, the town’s most neglected barangay because of its inaccessibility.