PROJECT MAKAYA
Fueling livelihood with waste
Project Inception: 2025
Standard: Gold Standard
Methodology: Animal Manure Management and Biogas Use for Thermal Energy Generation
Standard: Gold Standard
Methodology: Animal Manure Management and Biogas Use for Thermal Energy Generation
Status: In Development
Farms Target: 45,000
Registration: TBD
Auditor: TBD
First Issuance: 2027
Farms Target: 45,000
Registration: TBD
Auditor: TBD
First Issuance: 2027
Sustainable Development Goals:
BACKGROUND
"Makaya" in Filipino means "to be able to do or accomplish"
We drew inspiration from conversations with our advocates where they shared their experiences in Project Buhay. We often hear:
"Dili hapos, pero gikaya." (It wasn’t easy, but we made it.)
"Lisod pero makaya." (It’s difficult, but we can do it.)
"Mahirap pero kaya namin." (It’s hard, but we will endure.)
"Lisod pero makaya." (It’s difficult, but we can do it.)
"Mahirap pero kaya namin." (It’s hard, but we will endure.)
These words come from farmers, mothers, and community advocates who push forward despite hardships.
problem 1
Abundance of animal waste
Millions of tons of animal waste are produced annually in the Philippines with limited to no manure management systems.
- Manure releases methane, a greenhouse gas over 80x more potent than CO2
- Manure often dumped in rivers and other bodies of water, impacting aquatic ecosystems
- Pathogens spread through manure can be detrimental to livestock and farmer livelihood
solution
Sustainable waste management
- Provides a sustainable waste management system for farmers
- Traps methane being released into the atmosphere
- Reduces animal waste being dumped in bodies of water
- Controls and reduces the spread of pathogens
- Makes a good neighbor by reducing odors up to 80%
problem 2
Soil Degradation
Soil Degradation is a major environmental threat facing the Philippines’ agricultural sector, with about 70% of the country’s land area affected by soil acidification and declining fertility.
- Agricultural Practices: Conventional farming with staple monoculture crops such as bananas, pineapples and sugar cane rapidly remove essential nutrients like calcium, and magnesium which act as a buffer against acidification.
- Nitrogen Fertilizers: Reliance on chemical fertilizers results in excess nitrogen leaching into soil and groundwater aquifer increasing soil acidity and contaminating sources of water.
- Loss of Organic Matter: Natural and agricultural practices are reducing organic matter found in soil which is vital for the supply of nutrients, water retention, and soil structure.
solution
Biodigester Slurry
- Contains organic matter and beneficial organisms which improves soil structure and health, enhancing water retention, reducing erosion, and preserving nutrients.
- Replenishes essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which restores fertility for plants to grow.
What does this mean?
- Increases crop yields up to 30-40%
- Reduces the need and costs of chemical fertilizers
problem 3
Inefficient & Unhealthy Cooking Practices
Major environmental threat facing the Philippines’ agricultural sector, with about 70% of the country’s land area affected by soil acidification and declining fertility.
Health:
- Indoor air pollution such as PM2.5* is the 4th largest health risk globally, with over 4 million deaths each year
- Open fires are dangerous, leading to burns, accidental fires, and scalding, especially in homes with small children
- The Philippines ranks among the highest in Asia-Pacific for deaths due to household air pollution at 8.4 deaths per 10,000 people
*Particulate Matter (PM) is a type of air pollutant that's extremely small and harmful to human health. It's made up of particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter which can travel into the deeper parts of the lung and body.
Environment:
Environment:
- Burning wood releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and contributes to deforestation and the depletion of natural resources in rural areas
- Traditional cooking methods are highly inefficient, with up to 90% of the heat energy being wasted
Gender:
- Foraging long distances to collect wood exposes women and girls to the risk of harassment or assault
- Women and children under 5 years old, who spend the most time near cooking fires, are the most affected by the associated health risks
- Women and girls are disproportionately responsible for gathering fuel and cooking, reinforcing gender inequalities and limiting their opportunities for education or economic participation
solution
Renewable energy source
- Creates a renewable, free energy source for cooking
- Eliminates need for gathering and burning woodfuel
- Significant reduction in risks associated with PM2.5
- Biogas fire is safer, easier and quicker for cooking
problem 4
Limited Access to Sanitation Systems
Lack of Infrastructure:
- ~20 million people in the Philippines still practice open defecation, posing a risk to human health and the environment.
- Many rural communities lack basic sanitation infrastructure like toilets and latrines.
Health Consequences:
- Poor sanitation is linked to a range of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid, which can lead to sickness and mortality, especially among children.
solution
Toilet system
Our biodigesters provide a simple, cost-effective solution for household sanitation by connecting easily to compatible toilet systems—eliminating the need for expensive septic tanks. Designed for quick installation, they offer an affordable way to improve family health and hygiene.
How it Works
Features
15-20
year lifespan
Balloon style
for easy installation at site
Modular design
allows for adding components or expanding capacity
Low maintenance
~500 PHP per year for filter pellets; piping, tubing, easily replaceable at local building supply store
Sustainable Development Goals
TRANSPARENCY
How we manage our projects
Engagement and Selection Process
Each farm is engaged through an initial visit, where we introduce the project, its goals, and the benefits it offers. We collaborate closely with trusted individuals and associations who have in-depth knowledge of the farms within their community. These typically include local officials, parish representatives, veterinary and agricultural associations who all help identify the farms most suited for the project.
Interconnected Approach
This project builds upon our community-centric vision. By following an interconnected approach across our project and community activities, we will amplify the positive outcomes across all of our initiatives.
Each farm is engaged through an initial visit, where we introduce the project, its goals, and the benefits it offers. We collaborate closely with trusted individuals and associations who have in-depth knowledge of the farms within their community. These typically include local officials, parish representatives, veterinary and agricultural associations who all help identify the farms most suited for the project.
Interconnected Approach
This project builds upon our community-centric vision. By following an interconnected approach across our project and community activities, we will amplify the positive outcomes across all of our initiatives.
Farm Focus
Primary: Family and cooperative managed swine and dairy cow farms
Secondary: Small and medium commercial livestock farms, other livestock
Geographic Focus:
Primarily Visayas and Mindanao
Farm Size Requirements
Minimum four (4) dairy cattle or fifteen (15) swine
Baseline Manure Disposal System:
Uncovered open lagoons or waterways or pit storage exceeding six (6) months
Primary: Family and cooperative managed swine and dairy cow farms
Secondary: Small and medium commercial livestock farms, other livestock
Geographic Focus:
Primarily Visayas and Mindanao
Farm Size Requirements
Minimum four (4) dairy cattle or fifteen (15) swine
Baseline Manure Disposal System:
Uncovered open lagoons or waterways or pit storage exceeding six (6) months
Equipment and Training Cost:
Up to 100% discount for qualifying livestock farms
Registration and Eligibility Confirmation:
Up to 100% discount for qualifying livestock farms
Registration and Eligibility Confirmation:
- Each participant (or someone helping on their behalf) completes a detailed digital registration which includes quantity of animals, baseline manure management method and other pertinent information and photos to determine eligibility.
- If there is any concern with the application, our local team will visit the farm to confirm the eligibility.
Off-site Training:
Prior to receiving a biodigester package, participants receive hands-on biodigester training. This includes site preparation, commissioning, troubleshooting, best practices, and how to get help for problems they may encounter. Our goal is to lay the foundation for successful long-term operation.
Site Preparation:
Each farm is required to prepare the site for the initial setup. This includes site selection, determining the most efficient source of water for mixing with manure, digging the protective ditch that will contain the biodigester, clearing the area of debris, and stockpiling manure for the initial loading.
Prior to receiving a biodigester package, participants receive hands-on biodigester training. This includes site preparation, commissioning, troubleshooting, best practices, and how to get help for problems they may encounter. Our goal is to lay the foundation for successful long-term operation.
Site Preparation:
Each farm is required to prepare the site for the initial setup. This includes site selection, determining the most efficient source of water for mixing with manure, digging the protective ditch that will contain the biodigester, clearing the area of debris, and stockpiling manure for the initial loading.
Initial Setup
- When we have confirmation the site preparation has finished, our local team arrives with the biodigester package for commissioning.
- After everything is accounted for, we review the user's guide with the farmers and begin putting everything together. We work hand-in-hand every step of the way to make sure they understand how everything fits together so they are comfortable with the system and capable of completing minor repairs if they arise.
- We then roll-up our sleeves and begin the fun process of mixing a metric tonne of manure with water which then goes into the digester to start the process.
- Once the team is ready to leave, they take photos of the site, record who was present, and make note of anything that may be pertinent for future visits.
Site Inspection and Troubleshooting
- In the initial year, Nayon will visit each farm around a month after the initial setup, then up to another 2-3 times to troubleshoot any issues that arise while reviewing key educational areas with the project participants for successful ongoing use.
- After the initial year, we conduct 100% follow-up visits annually through a combination of remote and on-site visits
Annual Monitoring
- Each year, we receive a representative sample list of farms across the project area for official monitoring activities from our project consultants.
- During monitoring we conduct interviews, complete detailed surveys, and document our findings with photo evidence.
- The collected data is then compiled into a comprehensive report, which forms the starting point of an independent audit to ensure transparency and accountability.
Independent Audit
- Each year certified auditors that specialize in biogas and thermal applications are appointed to conduct an independent audit.
- During monitoring we conduct interviews, complete detailed surveys, and document our findings with photo evidence.
- The auditor thoroughly reviews project documents, analyzes the monitoring report, and selects households for on-site visits.
- After reviewing the submitted documentation, the auditor travels to the project area and spends several days conducting in-person interviews with monitors, community leaders, project participants, and partners to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project’s implementation.
- To ensure impartiality, auditors are rotated throughout the project’s lifespan.
Local Employment
- Diversity and Inclusion: Focused efforts to hire from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds, including women, minorities, people with disabilities and those from impoverished communities.
- Training and Development: Skill development program to upskill local workers into project technical experts. Beyond specific skill training, we have capacity-building programs designed to empower local teams by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to become community leaders for sustainable development and economic growth.
- In the initial 5 years we expect to employ between 1,500 to 1,850+ individuals from remote and impoverished communities where income has the greatest impact on livelihood.
In-house Technology
- Proprietary application to enable full digitization even in the most rural communities to support registration, data gathering, data validation and monitoring, customized specifically for Project Makaya’s needs and best practices.
- Learning modules, Q&A, videos, live support etc. to troubleshoot issues that can occur during commissioning and usage of the digester to maximize utility.
- Photos and data gathered at each visit to ensure that the digester is set up properly, working as designed, and cooking equipment is being used.
Creating a local ecosystem of opportunity: A biodigester marketplace
- Ongoing Maintenance: Stove replacements, gas-cleaning pellets, tubes & parts — all locally supplied and serviced
- Add-on Sales: Our biodigester systems are ready to add equipment such as toilets, water heaters, and electrical generators which be sold and installed locally
- Organic Fertilizer Sales: Turning biodigester byproduct into income for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs
Let's Chat
We love forging new partnerships. If you’re interested in learning more about our projects, supporting our mission by purchasing carbon credits or exploring collaboration opportunities, we want to hear from you.
.jpg)
.jpg)
