Appropriate Technology
For the People
International Conference on Comprehensive Framework onAppropriate Technology Towards SDGs
Presented by:

ESTRELLA F. CATARATA
Executive Director

Presentation Outline
A. The Philippine Context
B. SIBAT (Wellspring of Science and Technology)
C. CBRES (Community-Based Renewable Energy Systems)
D. CRESA (Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture)
E. Appropriate Technology in the Philippine Context
F. Guiding Principles
G. Addressing the SDGs
H. Challenges an archipelago with an area ofapproximately 300,000 km2> land: 30 million hectares
 coastline is 26,289 km
 around 7,100 islands (before);
now 7,641 (NAMRIA) A megadiverse country
with more than 52,177
described species ofwhich more than ½ are endemic Climate:northeast monsoon (Novemberto April); southwest monsoon(May to October)> 107 million People (PSA)
SIBAT Inc.

Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel,cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper etc.
Land-use: AGRICULTURAL LAND is 41% (Arableland – 18.2% (2011 est)
~1950’s to ~2005
Agriculture contributes 20% of GDP
Half of the labor force is in agriculture
Performed well relative to other Asiancountries in 1970’s
2017 – 10% of GDP
It performed poorly since the 1980’s
Share of agriculture to total exports:
1960- 65%;
1994 – 12%
SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT Inc.

Poverty Situation and Climate Change Vulnerabilities
7 out of 10 Filipinos
think they are poor
(Ibon Survey)

23% of Filipinos arepoor based on a P 10K
monthly income for afamily of 5 – PSA

Commercialized
basic services and utilities –water, energy

Government’s NEGLECTAND CORRUPTIONSIBAT Inc.

•53
activeVolcanoes(300)(PHIVOLCS

Haiyan in2013

10 provincesfrom Marchto June 2019SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT’s Vision

SIBAT envisions a justand sovereign societythat upholds genuine
development based on
people-centeredscience and technology.

MissionCommits to develop,
promote and popularize
the application of
appropriate technologies
towards attaining villagelevel sustainable
development in poor
communities

CBRES (Community – Based Renewable Energy Systems)
1992 – 2011

Sustaining

Establishment Phase

Scaling Up (2012Phase– consultation of 7onwards)

Developing
standards,
principles; CBRES
POs federations;watershedpreservation andrehabilitation

network members-Not just for homelighting but for ruraldevelopment> reducing
downtimes; 24/7
operations thru ELC;
CREATech – one of 3
in Asia for fabricationand innovations

SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT Inc.

CBRES (Community-Based Renewable Energy Systems )•CBRES are small, decentralized energy supply
systems established through multi-stakeholder
efforts with the major participation oforganized communities. The localorganizations own, manage and sustain thesystems, which do not only provide lighting tohouseholds, but also provide energy for foodand crop processing and livelihood needs forrural households.

•The CBRES communities are organized throughtheir people’s organizations (POs), whocollectively harness their local resources,
cooperate to implement the technology, andactively operating and managing the system tosupport their primary needs.

SIBAT Inc.

CBRES – CREATech•

SIBAT acts as local facilitator during and after
the project’s establishment. The local
government unit (LGU), as the local authority
mobilizes additional support to the projectthrough local administration.

•SIBAT’s expertise on CBRES is widerange –from technical designing, advisory andsupervision to organizational andmanagement advisory in post-installationphases.

•The establishment of the CREATech as CBRES
resource center for advisory, information,
demonstration and training will consolidate
these capabilities and allow these to be better
accessed by potential proponents of CBRES
projects.
SIBAT Inc.

Community-Based Renewable Energy Systems (30 plus)

Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture – DIFS

CRESA - Diversified Integrated Farming System

SIBAT Inc.

What is Appropriate
Technology?

•SIBAT’s appropriate technology (AT) core programs
are sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, small
water systems development, pre and postharvesttechnologies.

•Appropriate Technology as adhered to by SIBAT ispremised on highest regard for its genuine
responsiveness to the needs of the community.
It aims to generate real benefits, promote social
justice and equitability among disadvantaged sectors
and population, with particular attention to ruralwomen.
It is based on people’s participation with theobjective of developing local capacities and overall
technological self-reliance.
AT applications strictly observe the basic regard forenvironmental conservation and protection.

•••

SIBAT Inc.

Appropriate
Technology –Guiding
Principles1. Ecologically Sound and Sustainable• does not degrade or pollute the environment• Preserve technology through self-relianceand efficient use of resources.
• Each organism has a role to play in theentire ecosystem – humans, plants, animals• Tap renewable energy sources like biogas,
draft animals and water, solar, wind, seas,geothermal• The agro ecosystem should produce thriving
nutritious plants and energy which nourish
humans in all respects; physically, mentallyand spiritually• Preserving and propagating all of nature
not just for the present but for the future
generations

Appropriate Technology – Guiding Principles
2. Community-based, community-owned and collectively-managed> based on the capacities of the community to collectively
manage> responsive to the concrete needs of the majority in thecommunity> It is the community who will set and unite on thepolicies and enforce these and ensure its sustainability - locallyautonomous Accessible and affordable
 Promotes unity and oneness among community members

APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY - GUIDING PRINCIPLES
3. Adherent to Social Justice The system must assure that resources and power are distributed
equally so that the basic needs of all are met and their rights are wellprotected and respected.
• Equitable Control of Resources – means of production
should be handed to the majority of the populace to escapepoverty and grow food they need to feed themselves.
• Full participation – ability of the people to participate in the vitaldecisions that determine their lives. Community members express full participation.

Appropriate Technology – Guiding Principles
4. Humane Humans is the totality of physical, social, mental, cultural andspiritual aspect of life Thru social interaction it strengthens cooperation, trust, honesty andhope - values needed to counteract selfish interest
 Be humane to all living things The ultimate goal of sustainable agriculture and appropriatetechnology is the cultivation and perfection of human beings.

Appropriate Technology – Guiding Principles
5. Scientific and innovative Based on research and well supported by evidence Continuing innovations grounded on research and development
 Innovations adhere to Open source principles - peer production andopen collaboration
6. Economically Viable Basic food needs and services are answered at the minimum
requirement
 Excess could be used for other family needs like health, education,
shelter, etc.
 Able to take root and grow over both the short and long terms withpositive net returns.

Appropriate Technology – Guiding Principles
7. Gender and Culturally–sensitive Respectful of indigenous people’s culture Adherent to the customary laws of indigenous peoples
communities
 Free, prior and informed consent ( FPIC) Gender sensitive Empowering and mobilizing women participation in the overallprocessAddressing the SDG’s

SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT Inc.

SIBAT Inc.

Challenges………

CBRES POTARRIFICATION AND

TYPHOON AND

STRENGTHENINGTARIFF COLLECTION

LIGHTNING STRIKESAND FEDERATIONFOR MAINTENANCE

WATERSHEDPOLICY ADVOCACYRENEWABLE ENERGY

DEGRADATION ANDLAW OF 2008 VIS-À-THREATS

VIS BIG BUSINESSAGENDA

Challenges

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
ACTLACK OF NATIONALVERSUS LACK OF

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTSERIOUS ENFORCEMENTIN CBRES AND CRESAAND IMPLEMENTATIONLACK OF FUNDING
SUPPORTVIS-À-VIS THE

DEARTH OF
PROFESSIONALS WHONEEDS OF THE

CAN STAY FOR LONGCOMMUNITIESAND COMMIT
THEMSELVES IN
DEVELOPMENT WORKWhen asked “Dr. Einstein, why is it that whenthe mind of (hu)man has stretched so far as
to discover the structure of the atom, we
have been unable to devise the political means
to keep the atom from destroying us?”]That is simple, my friend. It is because
politics is more difficult than physics.

SIBAT Inc.

PHOTO CREDITS AND REFERENCES :1. gmanetwork.com
2. The Washington Post
3. PHIVOLCS (Philippine Volcanologists and Seismologists)
4. Wikipedia
5. Researchgate.net
6. https://www.slideshare.net/ruth00035/march-5-solar-energy-investment-opportunities-in-thephilippines-ruth-p-briones
7. Arcgis.com
8. SIBAT Photofiles
9. www.sibat-inc.org

SIBAT Inc.