DAR Agusan del Norte hands over P9.7-M solar packages to Sitio Kamingawan

by Gil E. Miranda

DAR-Agusan del Norte (September 17) -- Solar Power Project was handed-over by the Department of Agrarian Reform Solar Power Technology Support (DAR-SPOTS) with a toal cost of P9.7 Million comprising AC10, Communal Light (CL), Barangay Hall Lighting, Barangay Health Center (BHC) and Seventy (70) Solar Homes Lighting System (SHLS) to remotest Sitio Kamingawan in Brgy Doña Telesfora, Tubay, Agusan del Norte, on September 10, 2008.

Photo Shows the signing the Certificate of Hand-over Documents: from left: DAR CPMO - Yanie Barcenas (For and in behalf of Reuben T. Quejas); CARPO Judith M. Domingo (for and in behalf of PARO II Andre B. Atega); Brgy. Captain David G. Abrenica (for in behalf of Fedil E. Garcia of Tubay); and Melindo Libreno of RAM SPOTS at Sitio Kamingawan, Brgy. Doña Telesfora, Municipality of Tubay, Province of Agusan del Norte.

In a simple ceremony, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante, represented by Edgar M. Palarca, Jr., Provincial Information Officer; Hon. Fidel E. Garcia, Jr., Municipal Mayor of Tubay, represented by David G. Abrenica, Barangay Captain of Barangay Telesfora;

Central Project Management Office was represented by Yanie Barcenas with PARO II Andre B. Atega, represented by CARPO Judith M. Domingo of DAR Provincial Office switched on and handed-over the certificate of project ownership to the beneficiaries of Sitio Kamingawan through the Rizalian Association of Mercy (RAM-SPOTS), who will manage the operation and maintenance of the said project.

Aside from Solar Packages, Agri-Support Projects, with a total project cost of Php486,910.00 were also provided to assist the RAM-SPOTS in the implementation of operation and maintenance of the system. It includes Horse Transport Services, Black Pepper Production, Stripping Machine, Weighing Scale (Vascula), Woodworking Tools, Mini-Theatre facilities (TV, DVD Player, Karaoke & Dream Cable Satellite) and Grocery Store.

The Solar Home Lighting System (SHLS) provides light to the homes for 18 hours daily. It also powers the Barangay Hall, Barangay Health Center, Schools and Chapel. Communal Street Lighting supplies the power to streets for 12 hours from 6pm to 6am.

AC10 Solar Power, with a total cost of Php3.6 Million, provides energy to RAM-SPOTS facilities comprising the mini-theatre, refrigerator, dream cable satellite and wood lathe.

Photo shows the Solar Powered AC10 module Panel Board which supplies power to the Agri–Support equipment and appliances, which supplies 10,000 watts daily with electric current 220 volts AC.

BELOW: DAR-SPOTS Central Management Team headed by Bayani Barcenas checks the AC10 Solar Powered Battery.

In the message of Edgar Palarca, in behalf Governor Amante, he commended DAR as the LGU's partner in the electrification of remotest Sitios of the province not only in Sitio Kamingawan but also in the municipalities of Buenavista, Nasipit, Jabonga and Santiago. He further said that these areas due to its distance and road conditions are very difficult to access and they are waiting of government services and with the implementation of SPOTS Projects by the DAR in close coordination with the LGUs and other government agencies has fulfilled their century-old clamour for electrification.

Hon. David G. Abrenica, Barangay Captain of Doña Telesfora, representing Mayor Fidel E. Garcia, Jr., expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and to DAR for being the beneficiaries of more than Php9.7 M. worth of Solar Packages. Also, the project could not be implemented without the full support of both the Provincial and Municipal LGU of Tubay.

Abrinica further said that Solar packages is a great help to Sitio Kamingawan. Since then, RAM-SPOTS & other recipients are starting to engage in different socio & economic activities. Thus, their productivity would be increased resulting to a higher income.

MARO Nelia Cabilogan, DAR-Tubay, said that DAR Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS) is a grant from the government of Spain.

She further said, "This is an effort of DAR-SPOTS which is in line with the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 10-point agenda to provide electricity to remotest and off-grid areas in the countryside."

It was learned that last August, Solar Power Packages were also handed-over to Tribal Brgy. Lawan-Lawan and Sitio Subait in Barangay Bonifacio of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, with a total project cost of Php6.3 M. (DAR-13/PIA-Caraga) [top]