In partnership with the local government of Tanay, Rizal and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilya Team, ICSC and 350 Pilipinas turned over 3 solar TekPaks and 3 NIWA solar power systems to the Magata Dumagat Association, the Manggahan Association, and the Magata-Manggahan Tribal Association in Sitios Magata and Manggahan located at Brgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal on January 26, 2021. Magata and Manggahan were heavily affected by Typhoon Ulysses last November 2020, houses washed away, crops damaged, and the hanging bridge connecting the two sitios collapsed due to the raging waters of Agus River and flash floods.
The solar TekPaks and NIWA power systems will serve as community charging stations in these off-grid communities — providing light for tribal meetings, women’s livelihoods, and children studying at night. These will also charge mobile phones and batteries, and power medical equipment during emergencies. ICSC also conducted a basic solar technology training to 13 Dumagat-Remontados, mostly women, who will act as operators and custodians of the TekPaks and NIWA systems.
The 3 solar TekPaks were assembled by Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban City and 350 Pilipinas volunteers. The all-women Sulong Sulu-an Association based in Sulu-an Island, Guiuan donated their TekPak to the Dumagats as a way of paying it forward to other vulnerable communities affected by disasters. Power4All donated 3 NIWA solar power systems in response to ICSC’s appeal to provide humanitarian energy to communities affected by Typhoon Ulysses.
Photos (c) AC Dimatatac/ICSC
