Bloomberry, Pagcor donate solar powered lights to aetas

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) have turned over the Communal Micro-Grid Solar PV Electrification Project to the community leaders of 11 Aeta Mountain Communities in Capas, Tarlac.

Through this project, implemented by their partner Project Liwanag, 661 families or close to 2,000 Aetas were provided their first experience to have lights in their homes and common pathways.

The 11 Aeta mountain communities who benefited from this solar electrification project are Sitios Flora, Manabayukan, Pilyen, Taliktik, Bunga, Dalig, Manalal, Alunan 1, Doray, Pula and Pantol, located in Barangays Maruglu, O’Donell, Sta. Juliana and Bueno of Capas, Tarlac.

Present during the turn-over ceremony were Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Victor Valentin representing Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan of Capas, Tarlac, Lt. Col. Joseph Revilla from the Philippine Air Force, Aeta leaders and elders, Marlon Pia, Executive Director of Project Liwanag and Hilbert Cuero from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Prior to the installation of the solar facilities, community preparation and involvement were ensured in the different stages of the project to deepen a sense of ownership and responsibility among the Aetas. This project falls under the Cultural Heritage development pillar of Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc

Source : mb