CEBU, Philippines – In the islands of Olango, Cebu, renewable energy and wildlife conservation work hand in hand.
The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS), the country’s first Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, is a vital stopover for 60 species of migratory shorebirds that travel within the East Asian-Australian Flyway.
The sanctuary is fully energized with the help of solar power energy.
According to OIWS warden Cristino Patigdas, the use of solar power panels has helped in reducing the costs of their operations and removing the need for loud gas-powered generators and transmission lines that get in the way of birds flying in the sanctuary.
Many advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies have also ventured into supporting the isolated barangays of Olango’s smaller islands by providing them with solar panel units.
However, with the lack of solar panel maintenance stations and a proper e-waste disposal policy, Olango residents may find themselves with an impending public health problem and bigger waste concerns.
Watch this documentary by John Sitchon on Olango Islands’ struggle with clean energy transition and the challenges of sustainable technology in isolated island communities. – Rappler.com
Reporter/writer: John Sitchon
Videographer: Jacqueline Hernandez
Graphic artist: Marian Hukom
Supervising editor: Jee Geronimo
Managing editor: Miriam Grace Go
Supervising producers: JC Gotinga, Beth Frondoso
Reporting for this story was supported by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities under the Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship.