The test run of RE-powered marine transport for island communities before its launching on November 8, 2023 at Coron, Palawan. (Photo courtesy of Diwata De Castro Paredes/USAID ESP)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The nation’s first solar-powered banca was launched in the island of Coron on Wednesday, November 8.
The solar-powered banca named MBca Adlao Azul is part of Phase 1 of the Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Renewable Energy-Powered Marine Transport for Island Communities (REPMTIC) project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The USAID project was rolled out in collaboration with Oceantera Energy Corporation and the Local Government of Coron, civil society organizations, and other private partners.
This project aims to establish a fossil-free transportation network that can efficiently serve as passenger ferries to transport tourists, fisherfolks, and nearby residents; water taxis; and cold storage cargo to deliver fresh agro-foods and medical supplies such as vaccines.
MBca Adlao Azul is a Marina registered banca and can carry six passengers and travel up to five hours with a maximum speed of 11 knots.
“In 2020, USAID launched the Energy Secure Philippines, a five-year $34-million flagship activity for both energy security, expand access, and advance a low-carbon future for the country,” USAID’s Environmental Officer Paul Brown said.
USAID ESP officials also said that the project is to directly impact 114,685 population from Coron including diverse barangays from Culion and Busuanga
Besides the Adlao Azul, USAID ESP: REPMTIC is in the process of developing a larger marine vessel named Trimaran.
USAID’s Environmental Officer Paul Brown and USAID’s Contracting Officer Howard Weston graced the event. Also present in the launching are the representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, LGU Coroner, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Palawan State University, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Calamianes Resilience Network, Calamianes Marine Protected Area Network, Coron Tourism Network and BPI Coron. (OCJ/PIA-Mimaropa – Palawan)
