ELECTRICITY, EDUCATION, PEACE
“Imagine a life without any of the three, or even any one. Then imagine Kagay Elementary School (Kagay ES) in Talipao, Sulu where armed conflict and lack of electricity have deprived children of even the most basic education. Imagine having to learn the ABC and basic math under the constant threat of terrorism.”
The Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993, the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association and Resident Fellows, in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) and its 2nd Special Forces Battalion, SFRA, Phiippine Army, and the Department of Energy inaugurated the #UPSILONparasaBayan Multi-Media Learning Center (MMLC). The MMLC includes an S145-14IWL Lenovo computer, Bose sound system, Epson wide-screen projector, Pixma portable printer and 2 electric fans, which is powered by the first off-grid rooftop solar with battery power system installed Kagay ES.
The project, fully funded by the members of Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993, was installed by the Philippine National Oil Company Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC), with the AFP WestMinCom providing the logistical support and coordination with the local officials of the Municipality of Talipao and Barangay Kagay.
BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR KAGAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS
During its planning, the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, SFRA of the Philippine Army identified Kagay ES as the beneficiary of the project. The school was established in 1982 and is located at the center of Barangay Kagay, Talipao, Sulu. It also serves the neighboring barangays in Talipao and Patikul, such as Lower Kamuntayan, Upper Kamuntayan, Lumbayao and Upper Sinumaan. It has 10 teachers and 380 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Barangay Kagay and the nearby barangays have been severely affected by the unstable peace and order situation and its primary school does not have any electricity.
The Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993 and the 2nd Special Forces Battalion agreed that with better educational resources, the children in Talipao and Patikul of the Province of Sulu can have better opportunities, which hopefully will lead to lasting peace.
DOE’s FIRST OF MANY TO BE REPLICATED IN WAR-TORN AREAS
The project was thereafter presented to the Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi by his Undersecretary, Wimpy Fuentebella (who is also a member of Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993). The mission of the DOE was to make this as “the first of many that will be replicated in the war-torn areas of the country”.
The DOE and Upsilon’s Batch ‘93 tapped the PNOC-RC to design and install the 2.28 kWp solar with 189.6Vdc and 9.02A battery system which can provide power to the basic necessities of the MMLC for the school children.
The designed MMLC should be able to power an 80-watt computer, 300-watt projector, 200-watt sound system, printer, two units of 40-watt electric fans, four units of 5-watt lighting facilities. It includes a secured battery storage area for the safety requirements of the system.
Sec. Cusi approved the mission and instructed Usec. Fuentebella to proceed.
TRANSFORMING SULU FROM TERRORISM TO TOURISM
From its inception on the 1 July 2019, the project was inaugurated on 31 August 2019.
In addition to the solar with battery system, Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993 also donated 350 Upsilon Sigma Phi - Banapple School Bags with School Supplies for the Kindergarten to Grade 5 students, while the DOE donated 50 Solar Lamps to the 37 Grade 6 students and the ten teachers of Kagay ES. The Department of Education also provided software instruction materials for the Grade 4 to Grade 6 students.
The festive event was led by Western Mindanao Commander three-star General Cirilito Sobejana and graced by the presence of AFP Judge Advocate General Reserve Peter Suchianco (Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1983 and Chairman of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association), DOE Usec. Wimpy Fuentebella (Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1993), alumni and resident fellows of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, Talipao Mayor Nivocadnezar Tulawie and the other local officials, School Head of Kagay ES Reckman Abtong and the other teachers, the school children and their parents.
“Our coming here has nothing to do with our military operations, but we are here for our peace and development campaign. Let us stand united and turn Sulu from terrorism to tourism,” Gen. Sobejana concluded.
###