Renewable Energy
The renewable energy program of SITMo was an offshoot of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement’s pioneer works on sustainable energy development.SITMo aims to increase access of rural people to basic energy services. Its objectives are to tap local resources especially micro-hydro for electrification, milling, the promotion of income generating projects and encourage the local adoption of clean energy and demonstrate viable alternatives to large energy projects (large hydro and geothermal) that threaten some Ifugao villages. This is done by using local resources to pilot renewable energy projects in remote villages and advocate for more of these developments across the province.
The prestigious ASHDEN AWARDS* of the United Kingdom has recognized the initiatives of SITMo on renewable energy. The prize money from the awards was used to rehabilitate the Bokiawan micro-hydro power plant, the Sustainable Energy Center and to continue taking the lead for the completion of the Maggok micro-hydro power plant located in Hungduan, Ifugao.
Provision of electricity remains difficult for much of Ifugao because of the inaccessibility of many of its 175 barangays.
SITMo will re-invigorate the attention to renewable energy in Ifugao and promote micro-hydro power for villages and household clusters that remain in the dark in an effort to uplift the local living conditions.
*The Ashden Awards reward outstanding and innovative projects that tackle climate change and poverty and improve quality of life by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency at the local level.
Sustainable Agriculture
In order to increase yield in the rice terraces, a System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is currently being adapted, interfaced with indigenous systems and modified to suit site conditions. Along with this is the organization of the farmers or the Ifugao Sustainable Agriculture Practitioners and Advocates (ISAPA).
SRI was piloted in farms in the municipalities of Kiangan and Lamut. The modified SRI project received a two-year grant from the recent Panibagong Paraan contest for a biodiversity cum SRI promotion in the four heritage towns.
The organization also partnered with CORDEV and assisted Eighth Wonder Incorporated for the possible marketing of organically grown products in Ifugao.
Natural Resources Management
In partnership with the International Kutzu Green Sannan (IKGS) of Japan and the Global Forest Society of Ifugao, SITMo is currently engaged in a two-year project entitled “Kiphodan di Payo, Kiphodan di Muyung” which includes nursery establishment of indigenous tree species in the municipalities of Mayoyao, Asipulo and Kiangan.
Supplemental Livelihood
Considered a major intervention to minimize outmigration and bring income to terraces households, the “Kiphodan” project will start dojo promotion in Kiangan, Asipulo, Hungduan, Mayoyao and Banaue and rabbit production in Hungduan and Banaue. The project hopes to market these Ifugao products to high-end restaurants in Baguio and Manila by early next year.
Indigenous Knowledge
A mapping of oral and written indigenous information resources is currently being conducted in the terrace communities covering eight municipalities in Ifugao, to prepare for the development of systems of knowledge transfer in the formal and informal setting. Assistance for this activity comes from the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ).
Together with the key knowledge holders, future activities will be participated in by the Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry (ISCAF), Department of Education (Dep-Ed), Local Government Units (LGUs), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and identified State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Cordilleras coordinated by the Cordillera Studies Center of the University of the Philippines in Baguio (UP-CSC).
Community-based Land Use planning
Believing in the principle that the community best decides its own destiny, a pilot community-based land use and zoning project was undertaken using indigenous knowledge systems and concepts in barangays Nagacadan and Julongan of Kiangan municipality, which host terraces sites protected under the World Heritage Convention. Planning workshops were facilitated resulting in a zoning ordinance passed by the barangay governments, approved by their respective general assemblies and the municipal government. The project was funded by a grant from the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF)
On the strength of this ordinance that also outlines development and use of its various resources, the communities of Nagacadan and Julongan are now promoting organic agriculture and its indigenous practices. The land use planning in Nagacadan and Julongan serve as a model for replication in other heritage sites.
Ecotourism
With the revival of Nagacadan’s Bakle or harvest festival, SITMo is assisting in organizing an eco- tour to bring tourists to enjoy community festivals and provide the host community with income from tourism endeavors (i.e. tour guide fees, environmental fees, meals and souvenirs prepared locally). The tours can be replicated in other Ifugao communities and could also evolve into planting or harvesting cum educational tours that promote interaction and knowledge sharing among Ifugaos and non-Ifugaos while at the same engender supplemental income.
Local Governance
Assisted by a grant facilitated by PRRM, SITMo has partnered with the Municipal LGU of Kiangan in a capability-building program to strengthen civil society participation in local governance. It includes project monitoring, participation in special bodies and the localization of the Millennium Development Goals.
Other special projects
Already in the information age, SITMo has enhanced its organizational capabilities with the establishment of the Community E-center at its office in Dinapugan, Kiangan. Funded by the Last Mile Initiative of the USAID, the project also provides training on website development and basic computer skills to Ifugao participants. The project has trained SITMo volunteers to train other interested individuals and organizations in website development.
Projects
