THE WORLD BANK has downgraded its view of the government’s progress in the implementing solar home systems in Mindanao.
In an implementation and status report, the bank said it now rates progress of the $21.32-million Sustainable Energy Project as “moderately unsatisfactory” from “satisfactory” previously.
It said the original implementing agency, LGU Guarantee Corp., faced difficulties in rolling out the project.
“The implementation of Window 1 of the Photovoltaic Mainstreaming (PVM) Component — supply and installation of 10,000 solar home systems (SHS) in remotely located households in Mindanao — is progressing well with 7,000 SHS already installed and the other 3,000 planned to be installed in the next few months,” the World Bank said.
“Procurement of PVM Window 2 and Rural Network Solar (RNS) was delayed because of uncertainties with the project implementation agency. This caused downgrading of the project to Moderately Unsatisfactory. Procurement of PVM Window 2 and Rural Network Solar (RNS) is planned to resume after the new project implementing agency — the Development Bank of the Philippines — is legally empowered to carry out the project,” it added.
The overall risk rating was also hiked to “high” from “moderate” initially. The project seeks to provide improved electricity services to 202,500 individuals through solar power.
So far, only 5.1% or $1.24 million was disbursed from the $24.32 million trust fund managed by the World Bank. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

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