They cannot wait to see their community illuminate in darkness.

“Simbolo ng kaunlaran ang pagkakaroon ng ilaw. Kaya napakalaking bagay para sa amin ang magkaroon ng kuryente,” said Vilma Cadag, 45, a resident from Sitio Nangka in Brgy. Vigo Central, San Narciso, Quezon.

For years, Sitio Nangka was never reached by electricity. Its location at the mountainous part of Brgy. Vigo Central made it hard for electric distributors to install posts and cable wires for electric supply. More so, it can only be accessed through a two to three hours-walk along a manmade trail.

“Single motor lang ang kayang dumaan. Pero ‘yun ay kapag maaraw lang at tuyo ang lupa. Kapag tag-ulan, lakad lang talaga ang pwede dahil sobrang maputik ang daan,” Vilma added.

Given the circumstances, the residents found another way to supply and distribute electricity in the community aside from on-grid electrification. They proposed for a solar electrification sub-project in 2014 when DSWD program Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA started in the area.

The Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan aims to provide hard-to-reach communities with access to basic social services to normalize their living condition. It empowers community members to participate in the planning, decision-making, and implementation of projects identified by them.

The solar electrification sub-project of Sitio Nangka is a first in the Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA implementation in CALABARZON region. That is why the field staff and community volunteers are very keen in every detail and process as they will be the baseline of future implementers of such sub-project.

“Umabot pa kami sa mga kalapit na bayan sa pagka-canvass ng solar panels. Sinisiguro kasi namin na maayos ang mga materyales na mabibili namin. At dahil kami rin mismo ang nagtatrabaho para dito, alam naming mangyayari talaga ang proyektong ‘to,” said Salvador Urbano Jr., 38, the head of community volunteers.

Present condition

Sitio Nangka gets temporary supply of electricity from the two generators they rent, which run every 6:00 to 10:00 in the evening. It can give power to two light bulbs per household and one portable DVD player that most residents use for leisure at night.

However, the two generators can supply electricity to only half of the 60 households in the sitio. The rent, which costs PhP150.00 a day, is also too costly for them.

Vilma also shared that their nights are filled with fear because of non-residents passing through the area. They do not feel secured.

Also, as a day care teacher, she frequently hears sentiments from her students on how hard it is to study in darkness. Some cannot do their assignments because of no light.

“Kaya nga napakasaya namin na magkakaroon na ng ilaw sa amin. Sa wakas! Para na kaming mayaman!” Vilma said in laughter.

Based on their estimate, the PhP332,100.00 grant for the sub-project is enough to buy and install 10 solar panels that could supply electricity to almost all of the households in the sitio.

Vilma excitedly plans on the electric appliances she can buy for her home.

“Pwede na kaming magkaroon ng TV. Madali na kaming makakakuha ng impormasyon sa balita. Hindi na kami mahuhuli sa kabihasnan. Pwede na rin kaming magkabit ng maraming ilaw para maiwasan ‘yung mga ‘di kanais-nais na pwedeng mangyari tuwing gabi,” Vilma added.

 

Working for the “change”

Like Vilma, Salvador anticipates the relief of having electricity in the community. That is why he decided to give his full time volunteering for the sub-project, even leaving his construction job in Manila.

Salvador shared that it was a hard decision at first as he needs to earn money for his family especially for his sick 13 years old daughter. His daughter has rheumatic heart disease and needs weekly check-ups and maintenance medicines.

But he still chose to volunteer as he wanted to contribute on resolving the community’s could-have-been lifetime problem.

“Konting sakripisyo lang naman ito para sa malaking pagbabago,” he humbly said.

“Hindi rin naman magiging mabigat kung bukal sa puso ang pagtulong. Masaya pa nga ang proseso ng Kalahi dahil kami mismo ang kumikilos para sa aming komunidad,” Salvador added.

Currently, the volunteers are waiting for the second tranche of fund to procure the solar panels. Everyone is excited to finally give light to their sitio. Their smiles are as bright as the light they are about to bring in the community.