LocationsPowering Health and Climate Security in BARMM: UNDP, Japan, and Lanao del Sur Advance Renewable Energy for Resilient Communities
April 7, 2026
(L-R Board Member and Energy Champion Rolando Distura, Province of Iloilo, Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Lanao Del Sur, Edwine Carrier, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ambassador Kazuya Endo, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines
Marawi City, Philippines — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur and the Department of Energy (DOE), with support from the Government of Japan, marked a milestone in advancing climate resilience and energy security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the culmination of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Access to Climate Security and Health Services (RE3ACHS) Project.
The event brought together national and local leaders, development partners, and community stakeholders to demonstrate how renewable energy investments can strengthen essential public services—particularly healthcare—in underserved and climate-vulnerable areas.
The RE3ACHS Project supports the Philippines’ National Renewable Energy Program (2020–2040) and its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by accelerating renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions at the local level. Funded through the Government of Japan’s Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) under the Climate Promise initiative, the project reflects a shared commitment to advancing human security, resilience, and sustainable development.
At its core, the project installed hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across four key health facilities: Tamparan Provincial Hospital, Wao District Hospital, Dr. Serapio Montañer Al-Haj Memorial Hospital, and the Ranaw Provincial Infirmary in Marawi City. With a combined capacity of 271 kilowatt-peak (kWp), these systems ensure reliable electricity for critical services, including emergency care, laboratories, cold storage, and maternal and pediatric wards.
“Reliable energy is foundational to resilient health systems and inclusive development,” said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrie. “Through RE3ACHS, we are translating clean energy investments into stronger institutions, improved service delivery, and better health outcomes for communities, especially in areas most exposed to climate risks and energy insecurity.”
Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. highlighted the role of local leadership in sustaining these gains. “This is how we move forward: not by projects alone, but by policy, systems, and sustained commitment.,” he said. “Through our unity, shared responsibility, and active participation, we can make sure that the progress we achieve today grows stronger and creates lasting impact for the future of Lanao del Sur.”
A local worker takes part in installing solar panels in Lanao del Sur—supporting clean energy solutions that strengthen health services and community resilience.
The project is expected to benefit at least 42,000 health service users while reducing dependence on diesel generators and lowering greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to reforesting approximately 65 hectares of land. Beyond infrastructure, RE3ACHS has invested in local capacity and systems to ensure sustainability.
More than 50 healthcare and support staff were trained on climate security and solar PV operations, while 25 personnel completed a four-month training on renewable energy and energy efficiency management. The project also supported the certification of nine local solar PV installers through TESDA, contributing to the development of green jobs and local technical expertise.
At the institutional level, seven local government units developed draft energy efficiency and conservation plans, while the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur is advancing a Provincial Energy Security Strategy to guide long-term planning and investment. Measures include integrating renewable energy into local development plans and exploring innovative financing, including Shariah-compliant models.
His Excellency Ambassador Kazuya Endo of Japan reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting climate action and human security in the Philippines, highlighting investments that strengthen essential services and resilience at the local level. “The RE3ACHS project will serve as a lifeline for hospitals and the essential services they provide, offering a solution for today’s challenges and an investment in a more climate-resilient future,” he said.
The culmination event featured the ceremonial switch-on of solar PV systems and the formal turnover of facilities to beneficiary hospitals and the Ministry of Health, reinforcing local ownership and sustainability.
Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr. of the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health emphasized that reliable energy is essential to delivering uninterrupted, life-saving healthcare services, particularly in remote areas.
The RE3ACHS Project builds on UNDP’s collaboration with the DOE and local governments to advance renewable energy solutions nationwide. Lanao del Sur’s leadership demonstrates how local governments can integrate energy security, climate action, and service delivery into a unified development agenda.
Looking ahead, partners underscored the importance of scaling up renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions across BARMM—expanding off-grid electrification, strengthening policy frameworks, and mobilizing public and private investments.
As the Philippines advances its energy transition, RE3ACHS offers a model of how partnership-driven, localized solutions can deliver tangible results—ensuring no community is left behind. [E]
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