The Mindanao Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLs) and the Department of Economics of Xavier University –Ateneo de Cagayan has organized a training-workshop for their field interviewers last October 26-November 3 at Cucina Higala Restaurant.
The event is a preparation for a city-wide household survey to be conducted within 15-days of November. The field interviewers were taught various techniques in facilitating a smooth flow of household interviews throughout the duration of the survey. Kobotool, which is a free toolkit for collecting and managing data in challenging environments, will be used to ensure smooth transmission of ground data to the server of the lead investigators.
The survey’s target is to determine the impact of electrification in Cagayan de Oro on key human development indicators. It will also assess the people’s willingness for the possibility of a shift to a renewable source of energy. The survey results will certainly re-evaluate the targeted impact of the Republic Act 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Act of 2008.
This survey is crucial for a second-tier city like Cagayan de Oro as it massively growing population and local-economy-wise. The city is also strategically located in Mindanao –the island’s gateway from the rest of the country. The changing demographics and improving the city’s economic landscape make it a suitable concentration for the survey that aims to measure the people’s willingness-to-pay for a cleaner source of electricity.
This household survey is led by the Xavier Ateneo Economics, a component of the MINDACELLs project –a collaborative research project led by the College of Engineering. This project is part of the nationwide initiative by the Ateneo de Manila School of Governance, University of San Carlos, Xavier University –Ateneo de Cagayan, and the European Commission.
Article by: Jhon Louie Sabal, MA