DepED gets P18M solar power

From Vivant for island schools

HINGOTANAN ISLAND, Bien Unido, Bohol May 21 (PIA) – Department of Education Central Visayas Regional Director Atty Salustiano Jimenez, with Bohol DepED Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan led local school officials in receiving the P18, 441,227.00 worth of photo voltaic off grid power systems and their accessories including the installation costs for the power system that energizes six island schools in Talibon and Bien Unido Bohol, in simple rites May 21, 2021.

In the deed of donation, Vivant, through its corporate social responsibility arm Vivant Foundation, donated off-grid solar power systems of different capacity levels to six of Bohol islands which are not connected to main land power through its project called Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY).

Funded by the European Union to the Philippines and SEQUA gGmbH German Cooperation, RELY is set to promote renewable energy as a means to improve learning and community lives as well as foster climate change mitigations in underserved communities in Centrals Visayas as well as in Palawan, by energizing off-grid schools.

RELY’s approach combines solar electrification with community development and improved vocational education by collaborating with partner senior high schools to serve as training hubs for the mainstreaming of solar power electrical installation and maintenance, while it partners with PROCESS Bohol, to undertake livelihood and youth programs and development components.

The EU support comes under the Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), a joint undertaking of the Department of Energy and the European Union, whose goal is to assist the Philippine Government in expanding sustainable energy generation to meet growing economic needs and provide energy access to the poor and marginalized sectors, according to the project concept.

Delayed by the pandemic, the project which started in January of 2019 is set to end in 2021.

Hingotanan East National High School principal Joemilyn Cabanero she could recall that in 2004, all they had in school was a 6 horsepower 3 kilovolt power generators. By 2005 when the Department of trade and Industry gave them 10 computer units, they were forced to purchase another set of generators especially when the computer subjects were introduced.

By then, the teachers would have to prioritize and dedicate all available power to the classes, while they would have to delay the printing of reports to allocate the power required for the computers.

The problem even went on to greater proportion when the school started implementing the Senior High School curriculum and with technical vocational and livelihood strand, they had Small Metal Arc Welding, cookery and tailoring.

It was in 2019, after Vivant had school visitation, data gathering and consultations that we saw the light.

By November 2020, the technicians finished the installation of the off grid solar power systems, making the school a pilot in clean and green energy.

Because of the solar project, the school has saved P10,000 in costs of diesel, now, the amount is used to purchase additional learning materials and tools upgrading for the school teaching aids and upgrading the program. (rahchiu/PIA )

CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION. Vivant Foundation along with PROCESS Bohol and the European Union implements in Bohol off grid schools solar power systems to promote renewable energy and improve lives of communities, learning of students and livelihood for youth. Even guests tokens here are made of woven mats, all biodegradable, its contents all products made by peoples organizations in the project. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

GETTING SELF SUFFICIENT. Women in off-grid island barangays in Bohol unite to train for livelihood enterprises, including this catering service offered by Malingin Island Womens Association, Malingin Elementary School is one recipient of Vivant’s RELY project with livelihood support by PROCESS Bohol. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)