Mahintana Presents SOLARES Project during the Official Launch of Grants Awarded under EU-ASEP CfP

January 30, 2019, Davao City

As one of the seven grant awardees of the European Union Access to Sustainable Energy in the Philippines (EU-ASEP) Call for Proposals (CfP), Mahintana Foundation, Inc., presented the SOLARES Project during the official launching of the grants awarded under EU-ASEP CfP on January 30, 2019 at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, President & CEO, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Program Manager, and Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, Project Manager, represented Mahintana during the event. Mr. Jobe C Tubigon presented the SOLARES project on behalf of Mahintana.

Prior to the presentation of grant awards, Asec. Redentor E. Delola of the Department of Energy (DOE), provided the welcome remarks during the opening session. He thanked EU for its support to renewable energy through ASEP which has become a vital partner of DOE to attain its goal of 100% electrification by 2022.

Mr. Enrico Strampelli, Head of the Development Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, shared a message of support on behalf of the EU delegation. He said there were at least 73 applications in the competitive EU-ASEP Call for Proposals which had proposed sustainable renewable energy solutions in the remote areas of the Philippines, particularly Mindanao. Of the 73 applications, only 7 were selected based on their feasibility and sustainability mechanisms.

Mr. Willy Hick, Programme Officer, Development Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to the Philippines, provided the overview of EU-ASEP Program. He shared that when you have a partner like DOE that speaks with so much enthusiasm and commitment in the ASEP program - that’s the EU wants in all their development programs.

After the overview, each of the 6 Projects awarded under the EU-ASEP CfP were presented (Note: Ateneo de Manila through its CELLSs Project was not able to present due to flight schedule concerns). Following was the order of presentation:

After the presentations of the awarded projects, Asec. Romeo Montenegro, Deputy Executive Director, MINDA, shared the updates on the Mindanao Power Development Program including the Mindanao Power Outlook.

In the morning session, Mahintana also participated in the consultation and validation workshop on the program framework for Sustaining Peace and Accelerating Socio-economic Development in Mindanao.

#euasep #solaresproject

Mahintana Facilitates Orientation on EU Contractual and Financial Procedures

January 24-25, 2019 @ The Pinnacle Hotel, Davao City

To address the financial concerns with the implementation of the EU-funded projects of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and its partners, an Orientation on EU Financial and Contractual Policies and Procedures was conducted on January 24-25, 2019 at The Pinnacle Hotel & Suites, Davao City. It was attended by 46 participants (Male 17, Female 29) from Mahintana, Peace & Equity Foundation (PEF), MINCODE, Kasilak, AADC, PHILDHRRA, and Yamog Renewable Energy Development Group Inc. (Yamog). The 2-day activity aims for the EU grant beneficiaries the common understanding on the EU policies and was facilitated by RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker.

Mahintana and SOLARES Project Admin & Finance Officer Ms. Liza D. Hora acknowledged team leaders PEF Program Manager Mr. Omar Salvo, MINCODE Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin, and Yamog Program Manager Porterio R. Jabla who introduced their team to the body. Ms. Hora welcomed the EU Delegation to the Philippines Programme Officer Ms. Caroline “Carol” Maningo and Contracts & Finance Officer Ms. Michelin “Chie” Alvarez. Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot gave the opening message expressing the combination of excitement and apprehension in implementing two (2) projects funded by EU. He thanked the funding donor for the continued support and trust to Mahintana and hopes to keep its credibility in running the projects. Mr. Magdolot introduced the members of the SOLARES and RESOURCEGov 2 Projects.

Ms. Maningo gave a message of support to the grant beneficiaries, encouraging them to take time in understanding EU’s policies. After the expectation check and presentation of the activity overview by Mahintana Operations Manager and SOLARES Project Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Ms. Alvarez started the discussion of the Implementation of Grants Contracts by Beneficiaries. The participants were able to ask relevant questions which were answered by Ms. Alvarez during the course of the presentation. Questions about cash counterpart, exchange rates, procurement procedures, and 60,000 EUR limit support to the third parties were among the concerns raised. Ms. Maningo discussed the two required reports and the deadlines.

On Day 2, a recap was conducted, as well as, more discussions and clarifications were made by the participants. The body was divided to two for the breakout sessions to discuss specific concerns with the EU officers. Mr. Magdolot closed the activity saying that the nervousness did not put out the fire and passion to help the depressed communities esp. in the GIDA (geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas).

#eufinancialorientation #solaresproject