By EUGENE ADIONG
CAUAYAN — Twenty-four households in the upland barangay of Camalandaan in this town can now make use of solar energy.
They were given solar panels as part of the solar home system project of the Foundation of Philippine Environment (FPE) and the Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc. (EADFI).
The beneficiary households were composed of agrarian reform beneficiaries, and select members of the Camalandaan Agro-Forest Association, Inc. (CAFA) and the local forest conservation group Bantay Lasang.
Installed in each of the houses was a 120-watt solar panel, which could convert solar energy into electricity that could light a bulb, charge a mobile phone battery and power small appliances like television and radio.
Each solar panel costs P28,000, said EADFI executive director Aladino Moraca, representing the organization’s head, Ramon Uy Jr.
A ceremonial lighting program for the turnover of the solar panels was held at the Camalandaan National High School last week.
It also signaled the start of Phase 2 of the EADFI-supported Southern Negros Cauayan Forest Reserve Biodiversity Conservation Project.
Under the memorandum of agreement the beneficiaries signed with PFE and EADFI, every household connected to the solar home system shall establish a 1.5-hectare rainforest farm “bio-fencing” covering nine forest patches in the barangay.
“This formula,” Moraca said, “will be not just for the continued protection of the forest reserve but also for the benefit of the community that helps preserve it.”
Jemuel Dulla, president of CAFA, said the solar home system project will improve their means of communication, especially in reporting forest incidents to the municipal government.
“I am glad that we now have our own source of electricity,” Casimero Nabalitan, one of the beneficiaries, said. “Before, we would spend almost a gallon of kerosene a week just to light up our house.”
Also, under the agreement, CAFA must implement a scheme for forest patrolling, bio-fencing and corridor establishment in the nine forest patches; work closely with members to ensure that the agreement is complied with; and resolve among members issues and concerns related to the project.
Nestor Carbonera, chief executive officer of FPE, said they hope to install more solar panels in the community next month.
Signing the agreement with the beneficiaries were Moraca, Carbonera and Godofredo Villapando Jr., executive director of FPE.
Witnessing the ceremony were Dulla, Camalandaan Barangay Captain Caesar Penas, and representatives of partner agencies: Ascencion Santocildes of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office–Kabankalan, Ronald Gareza of the Department of Agrarian Reform–Negros Occidental and Gemma dela Paz of the Provincial Environment Management Office./PN
