Maliwanag ang Pasko sa Mansalay

Liwanag sa Sitio Program established in 2020, provides renewable energy (RE) solutions to off-grid communities that allow them to improve their lives and livelihood using energy.

In 2022, 97 homes were lit under the Liwanag sa Sitio Program in Barangay Panaytayan in Mansalay Mindoro.  Together with its local partner, Keep Hope Alive Inc. (KHA), SIKAT was able to expand its coverage in four communities for 2022.  

Aside from lights, the RE system provides a community charging station that aids the community in their livelihood and communication. The communities earn from the charging station which they save for future system maintenance requirements or use to contribute to the wiring and connection of additional homes.

Liwanag sa Sitio Program recipients undergo a careful assessment to establish the program’s viability. Community participation and commitment plays a major role in the assessment.  Dialogues are conducted regularly by KHA to help determine if these two criteria are met.  The communities must also be self-organized with recognized community leaders who can help bring the residents together.   

SIKAT has also developed its own 12 V DC 1200 W system which can light at least 10 households with two pieces of 5 Watts light bulbs each.  Currently, the deployed systems under the Liwanag sa Sitio Program are six DC units for Kilapnit, Calibang, and Ether.  SIKAT also taps reputable organizations that develop AC systems, of which two units are deployed in Cabuyao and Tanawan.

Also in 2022, SIKAT pilot-run a new component of the Liwanag sa Sitio Program which is the Wiring Assistance Scheme.  The communities are provided an earlier opportunity to connect their homes to the deployed systems using this new component.  The communities contribute their available funds while SIKAT covers the balance of the cost. This fosters community spirit and accountability through the community’s contribution.  It also provides the communities with a first-hand appreciation of how energy can improve their lives by making it more accessible to them.

In all of these, getting these systems up in the mountains is no easy feat.  The systems are assembled in Batangas, shipped by land and sea to Calapan, and endorsed to KHA and the LGU of Mansalay.  The community residents hike down and carry these systems by foot back to their communities. The wiring also involves the participation of a community of KHA volunteers and residents. The Local Government of Mansalay has also expressed its support to the Liwanag sa Sitio Program.  Mayor Maliwanag thanked SIKAT for choosing his hometown as the main beneficiary of the program and assures the LGU’s full cooperation.

Sitio Kilapnit: Because of the remarkable program performance of Sitio Kilapnit’s group 1, the photo shows the additional systems deployed in the community.

Sitio Tanawan: The photo on the left shows the installation of a signal booster which enhances the communication in the area, and the photo on the right shows the community visit done in October 2023.

The systems and other materials traveled from Batangas to Calapan via land and sea transport.  At the Calapan port, the equipment was picked up by KHA and the LGU of Mansalay.  From Calapan port, the team traveled another 5 hours land trip to Mansalay town where the systems were temporarily stored.  

The Mangyan community volunteers hike down from the mountain communities to pick up the systems from Manasalay town. Together with KHA volunteers, they walked rough paths for 4 to 5 hours carrying the systems and wiring materials.  The installation was completed in two days. The KHA volunteers stayed in the mountains during the whole period to supervise and assist the community.

Sitio Cabuyao: Sikat Foundation and KHA are very committed to support the community as it transitions with its new sitio leader and officers who would maintain the program.

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Kumustahan sa Mansalay

SIKAT Foundation together with its local partner Keep Hope Alive, Inc. (KHA), organized and participated during a kumustahan get-together with the sitio leaders of its five adopted indigenous communities in Mansalay Mindoro last March 16, 2023.

The SIKAT-adopted communities in Mansalay include sitios Cabuyao, Calibang, Kilapnit, Tanawan and Ether.  These far-flung mountain communities are accessible by motorcycle and hike.  The sitio leaders traveled 3 to 4 hours one way to attend this rare gathering.  These five communities have no access to the grid or to any kind of energy source until SIKAT and KHA engaged them in the Liwanag sa Sitio Program.

The kumustahan was a heart-warming gathering after two years of the pandemic. SIKAT, KHA, the sitio leaders, and other community representatives exchanged stories about their lives and the impacts of having energy in the communities. The sitio leaders also shared their experiences on how to operate and maintain a solar system, the benefits of having lights in their homes, and the charging station, all of which are part of the program.  The kumustahan was also an opportunity for the group to discuss the roles and responsibilities of SIKAT, KHA, and the communities.

Eating has become more pleasant because now they can see the food that they are eating during dinner, says Nanay Laysel.  Nanay Mina added that it has become a big help for the women as they can continue to weave even after daylight.  The sitio leaders expressed their gratitude to SIKAT for selecting their community to participate in the Liwanag sa Sitio Program. They assured SIKAT of their full cooperation and commitment to making the program a success.

Sikat Executive Director Catherine Marie Cabrillos leads the kamustahan with KHA and the community representatives

KHA Executive Director Shernan Gamol gives a quick update on how KHA can further support the Mangyan communities.

SIKAT, KHA and the community representatives.

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