More than 1,000 residents sought safety in Tinabanan Cave, climbing 32 feet of slippery terrain to escape the super-typhoon that struck on November 8 and killed over 6,000 people. Lorna dela Pena, who was alone during the storm, recalled how everything was destroyed but managed to evacuate despite feeling disoriented. She mentioned that stairs were finally added to the cave after the disaster caused by Haiyan. While providing hot porridge to evacuees, dela Pena realized the significance of local organizations in assisting communities in becoming more resilient to extreme weather conditions caused by global warming. She emphasized the effectiveness of collaboration and unity in providing support, stating that what one person cannot achieve alone becomes possible when everyone comes together. Inspired by this, she collaborated with others in Marabut to establish women's groups dedicated to various causes. These groups now lead in organizing workshops on organic farming, hosting discussions on violence against women, and promoting the adoption of renewable energy among women in the community. Azucena Bagunas, 47, and dela Pena are part of a group of individuals known as "solar scholars" who were trained by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) to promote low-carbon development and climate resilience. Following Typhoon Haiyan, they learned to use solar-powered generators called TekPaks for disaster preparation. These generators have been crucial in providing light in dark caves during evacuations, helping to count the number of people seeking shelter and keeping communication lines open by charging mobile devices. Bagunas recalls a particularly significant moment when the technology saved a life by powering a nebuliser during an asthma attack. Bagunas and dela Pena are teaching other women in Marabut how to operate TekPaks and educating them about the advantages of renewable energy. When a storm approaches, these women make sure their solar-powered equipment is fully charged so they can quickly relocate their communities to safety. Bagunas emphasized that using solar energy is more cost-effective compared to relying on coal-fired electricity from the grid. She explained that by using solar power as the main source of energy in their homes, they can eliminate the need to pay for electricity and have access to affordable and dependable power as long as they have a panel. Bagunas also prefers solar energy as a safer alternative. In June, her brother's house next to hers caught fire when a live electricity wire struck his roof, causing some parts of her own house to be affected. As of 2020, around 60% of the Philippines' energy is still derived from coal and oil, while only 34% comes from renewable sources. However, the government's plan from 2020-2040 aims to transition the country to rely more on renewable energy sources like solar, with a target of half of power generation being renewable by the end of that period. Chuck Baclagon, Asia regional campaigner for 350.org, a global organization supporting grassroots climate action, commended the ICSC's efforts to bring solar power to communities in order to promote clean energy at the local level. Today's current centralized power system, which relies on fossil fuels, does not effectively address energy poverty in remote island areas that are far from commercial centers, according to him. He stated that transitioning to solar energy challenges the belief that transitioning is unaffordable. The expensive nature of fossil fuels is due to their importation, making them volatile in the market. Conversely, renewable energy sources like solar are easier to implement locally because they utilize available resources and have high potential in specific locations. Leah Payud, resilience portfolio manager at Oxfam Philippines, expressed support for introducing solar energy in impoverished rural communities, particularly because it benefits women and children who are most vulnerable to climate change. She stated that women's unpaid care work and domestic work doubles during disasters, and their burden is increased by the need to find energy sources for these tasks. Women lack access to clean kitchens and electricity, which makes tasks like cooking, breastfeeding, and sanitizing equipment more difficult. She emphasized that women should be involved in expanding the adoption of clean, cheap, and easily available energy because they are the main users and producers of energy. Without their involvement, renewable energy initiatives may not be suitable. She concluded by saying that gender justice is essential for climate justice. One effective method for introducing women to renewable energy involves having them create a 24-hour clock detailing their household chores and the energy sources they use for each task. Afterward, they can discuss with Oxfam staff how changing energy sources could help alleviate their workload, making the concept more relatable. This exercise has shown that many women spend around 13 hours daily on unpaid family care work, a burden that has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased home-schooling. In energy-deprived areas such as Suluan Island, women face dangers when collecting water, especially at night. Solar lights have proven to be a safer and more reliable alternative to oil lamps, as they eliminate the need to travel across the sea to purchase fuel. Payud emphasized that solar energy is the most reliable source of energy during a disaster, especially when there is a loss of main power supply and travel between islands is impossible. Following Haiyan, it took six months to restore grid power in remote communities, a situation that could have been avoided if women had access to alternative energy like solar. According to dela Pena and Bagunas, women play a crucial role in addressing climate change and energy poverty as they are the ones who typically take the lead in managing family issues.