Techie Cruz Capellan, chief of the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE), said the money is part of the P100 million that the DoE has allotted for the project.
The DoE is among the partner agencies of AMORE in its electrification projects in the ARMM, especially in off-grid areas.
The money, said Capellan, would be used to procure solar photovoltaic systems for community facilities, including streetlights.
She stressed the project will help fulfill the government's pledge to bring light to every barangay across the region.
Earlier this year, Mirant Philippines, also one of AMORE’s partner agencies, donated $1 million to provide electricity to at least 100 more villages, by September 2008.
Since the beginning of the AMORE program, the Mirant Philippines Foundation has supported AMORE through donations of over $5 million, representing around 75 percent of the program's solar system requirements.
The USAID has provided AMORE at least $18 million since 2002.
In July this year, DoE expressed intent to complement USAID and Mirant contributions to AMORE with P100 million of its own funds. This contribution marks the third time DoE has programmed its own funds through AMORE.
In every barangay served by AMORE, a local organization is formed to select qualified households that will receive home lighting systems.
To date, AMORE has energized approximately 400 barangays, bringing light to over 11,000 households using renewable energy technology like solar home and hydro-electric systems.
"DoE is not only a funding agency, but a partner that shares in AMORE’s vision. We both believe that development doesn't end with the delivery and installation of the solar home systems in remote barangays… that lighting systems is just the beginning, as it sparks hope and triggers community action leading to community empowerment," Capellan said. (MindaNews)