A Watershed Energizes a Village

Nabuangan River

Hydropower has been with us for thousands of years. Waterwheels ground grain to flour. Archimedes’ screws lifted water to irrigate fields. And since the past century or so, water-driven turbines came to generate electricity, ever evolving to become more and more efficient.

For the Isneg village of Sitio Lapat, Barangay Nabuangan, Conner, Apayao, the Seacology-funded 15-kilowatt micro-hydro system is nothing short of a godsend. Built with technical expertise provided by engineers from SIBAT, Inc. (Sibol ng Agham at Technolohiya) and in partnership with Green Empowerment, it will electrify 67 households, a school, and the Nabuangan Barangay Health Station. It will also provide power to livelihood activities such as wood working, welding, ice making, cold storage, and others.

The hanging bridge that leads
to Sitio Lapat, then the other
sitios of Barangay Nabuangan 

Sitio Lapat is home to the Isneg tribe, which is one of the several ethno-linguistic groups within the Cordillera mountain range. They are known to practice lapat, an indigenous resource management system that declares a specific natural resource, such as a river or a section of the forest, as protected. These customary laws are passed down from every generation to the next, ensuring the continuity of their rich culture and traditions.

It comes to no surprise that Sitio Lapat is named after the lapat system. Their Isneg forebears declared the 500-hectare Boboli Creek Watershed area as lapat after all. Lapat roughly means off-limits, with the weight and nuances associated with tribal warfare and peace pacts. As the village is at the gateway of the watershed, people have come to call it Lapat also.

Ribbon cutting with Conner
Mayor Jorico Bayaua and SIBAT

The watershed boasts remarkable biodiversity, with 119 species of birds and many mammals, including fruit bats called white-winged foxes. Tropical hardwood (dipterocarp) trees and Rafflesia plants (which produce some of the world’s biggest flowers, several feet across) thrive there.

In return for Seacology's assistance, the community committed to strengthen their conservation of the watershed by highlighting the watershed’s importance, particularly in generating electricity, during tribal meetings and other community engagements. The lapat system has already been codified in accordance with this agreement, as may be seen in signs strategically posted throughout the barangay.

Putting the listeners to sleep

On the morning of February 11, 2026, management and maintenance of the new micro-hydro system was formally turned over to the community. The good mayor of Conner Municipality, Atty. Jorico Bayaua, SIBAT Board Member Dr. Romeo Quijano, Executive Director Estrella Catarata and Deputy Director Shen Maglinte, and myself were on hand for the festivities.

SIBAT Engineer Jey Mart
demonstrating the Micro-hydro

Taddo and Talip, traditional Isneg dances accompanied by gongs, were performed. In my two previous visits to the community, we were invited to join in the dancing. Not this time as the morning wore on, and I thought that was that. I found out very much later on just how ridiculous it was for me to casually dismiss what should have already been learned from previous experience.

After the speeches and after indulging in the local delicacies our hosts prepared for us, we adjourned to the micro-hydro station, where SIBAT Engineer Jey Mart Erasquin walked us through the whole operation. Tests show a respectable attainment of 230-240 Volts and 60 Hertz Frequency. 

The micro-hydro system

There will be costs in the micro-hydro’s operation, of course. Drive belts will have to be replaced, maybe once a year, and bearings maybe every five years, and others. Beneficiary households, which have their own electric meters, will be paying a nominal fee for this purpose.

From there we went through the canal conveying water for the micro-hydro. Some three years ago, during initial talks on what might be possible, SIBAT engineers explained to the community that a kilometer-long canal would be needed if a micro-hydro system were to be built. No promises were made, not then at least.

Venturing to the canal
feeding the power station

With nothing but an idea that begot more than warranted inspiration, the community began to dig that canal. Every Sunday for nearly a year, the villagers worked tirelessly and continuously during what was supposed to be their day of rest until funding was eventually secured. The powerhouse came from Seacology, and the rest from Green Empowerment, Misereor, and the local government. It was a gamble held together by a fragile tendril of hope that could have very well resulted in collective disappointment. Fortunately for the community, their faith moved mountains.

Dancing, because of course we
have to

As we were preparing to leave the village, we noticed the gongs being brought out and a circle being formed. It was for our obligatory dance with the community, something we did with much enjoyment and much respect.