The small islands of Tabuan-Lasa, located south of Basilan’s mainland, are abundant in high-value marine resources but face a significant challenge: the lack of electricity to power ice plants, essential for preserving fish harvests destined for distant markets. In mid-2024, the Basilan provincial government addressed this issue by installing a solar-powered ice block maker on Saluping Island, a boon for the local fishing community. The islands, known for their idyllic setting and rich fish stocks, once served as a rest and recreation spot for the Abu Sayyaf group. Fishing is a primary livelihood here, with Mayor Moner Manisan noting that fishers previously had to purchase ice from Zamboanga City at ₱200 to ₱240 per 10-kilo block. The new solar ice plant, located just 50 meters from fisher Pating Punso’s home, offers ice at ₱60 per block, a significant savings for locals. The plant, which produces 90 blocks daily, benefits not only fishers but also sari-sari store owners and halo-halo vendors like Sitti-in Punso Saraman. However, the plant currently only serves Bukut-Umus, one of four barangays on Saluping Island, leaving thousands of fishers in the municipality’s other islands underserved. Mayor Manisan hopes for more solar ice plants to meet the demand. The project was initiated by Ariel “Ayi” Hernandez, a development worker who recognized the need for ice in the region. Collaborating with electrical engineers, Hernandez formed AASC Technologies Inc., which has installed 12 solar-powered ice plants in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since 2022. Half of these are in Basilan, supported by Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman’s advocacy for the fisheries sector. The plants, built to last 10 years, generate income for local governments while providing a vital service to the community. Hernandez emphasized that the technology is not just about ice production but also a tool for community development.
