Mansalay town now fossil fuel-free, pushes shift to renewable power

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Green energy advocates have welcomed Mansalay town’s declaration as a fossil fuel-free and renewable energy municipality, calling it a significant step toward reducing Mindoro’s dependence on oil-based power and expanding access to clean energy.

Through Resolution No. 429-2026, the Mansalay municipal government committed to integrate renewable energy into its local development programs, encourage investments in renewable energy technologies and promote community-centered clean energy initiatives.

READ: RE advocates seek solutions to Mindanao’s fossil fuel dependence

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The resolution also marks the start of the local government’s plan to install solar power systems in public institutions across the municipality, according to green energy advocate REnew Mindoro in a statement on Thursday (Nov. 5).

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The policy was developed through collaboration between the Mansalay local government, REnew Mindoro and the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).

Vice Mayor Joel Maliwanag said the municipal government recognized the importance of private sector participation in community development and thanked REnew Mindoro convenors for helping advance the fossil fuel-free initiative.

He said the municipality aimed to shift toward sustainable renewable energy for economic and environmental protection.

Gerry Arances, CEED executive director, said Mindoro had an estimated 34.76 gigawatts of renewable energy potential but remained heavily dependent on oil and diesel.

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He cited data showing that bunker fuel and diesel account for 57.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively, of Occidental Mindoro’s power generation capacity, while oil-based sources make up 75.66 percent of Oriental Mindoro’s generation capacity.

“Mansalay’s resolution is a crucial step for institutionalizing the energy transition and modeling energy democracy for communities,” Arances said.

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He added that the initiative could demonstrate to other local government units that shifting to renewable energy was both possible and necessary to protect Mindoreños from the effects of the energy crisis, including price shocks and power outages.

Calapan Bishop Moises Cuevas also urged local governments, parishes, financial institutions, civil society groups and residents to work together to develop Mindoro’s renewable energy resources.

The Church, he said, must champion ecological protection through the transition to clean energy as part of its responsibility to care for the environment.

Cuevas said the REnew Mindoro Caravan would continue promoting affordable and accessible renewable energy technologies across the island.

“We won’t stop at Mansalay. We will push on to promote access to solar for all Mindoreños, in partnership with other LGUs, other civil society organizations, and renewable energy advocates,” he said.

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“Protecting the ecology of Mindoro, of the Verde Island Passage, and ultimately the entire country begins at solarizing our communities at home,” he added. /jpv