Lopez-led microgrid operator FP Island Energy Corp. has sealed a partnership with agri-tech start-up Agrabah Ventures Inc. to strengthen the livelihoods of farmers, fisherfolk, and local organizations in remote, off-grid islands in Caramoan and Garchitorena, Camarines Sur.
Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), the two groups will work to upgrade the agri-aquaculture value chain by improving production quality, expanding market access, and providing better financing and logistics support to FP Island–assisted communities.
Their first joint initiative will focus on boosting seaweed farming, with FP Island providing funding and in-kind resources for training and technical assistance.
FP Island VP Edgardo del Rosario said the partnership merges clean energy solutions with Agrabah’s market-linkage expertise to help farmers secure fair access to buyers.
Agrabah CEO Joselito Ocol Jr., whose platform already connects over 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk to markets, emphasized that collaboration is key: “No single entity can do it alone… Working together increases the chance of progress.”
The partnership also includes developing tailored capacity-building programs—training sessions, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing—alongside Agrabah’s guidance on production, post-harvest practices, and market trends. Agrabah may also serve as a market off-taker for products from FP Island–supported groups.
FP Island, a sister company of First Gen Corp., operates microgrids in Lahuy, Haponan, and Quinalasag. The firm noted that since its entry in 2021, the islands have shifted from frequent outages—or total lack of electricity—to more stable power access, enabling new economic opportunities.
A microgrid is a localized power network capable of operating independently from the national grid—an essential lifeline for remote communities like those in CamSur.
