LIGHTING MARAWI: Two donated solar streetlights are assembled and tested by the teams of Department of Energy, Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO), Task Force Bangon Marawi and the military. In photo with Usec. Felix William B. Fuentebella and Asst. Secretary Redentor E. Delola are (R-L) LASURECO General Manager Nordjiana Ducol, Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office Executive Officer Director Ray Aniñon, Lala Norlainie Macasalong and the representative of military personnel who helped in the logistics of the donations. In the background is one of the sections of the Transitional Shelter being built by the government for the displaced families after the 5-month-long armed conflict in their city.

(Taguig City). During the long holiday break, the Department of Energy (DOE) together with its energy partners hopes to empower the people of Marawi City and build back better their war-torn homeland.

“Not just because we are mandated, but because this is the right thing to do. E-Powering Marawi is an endeavor by the energy family, working together, to ensure that the much-needed energy infrastructures in Marawi City, including street lightings and other basic necessity use, can be restored,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

Last Saturday (16 December), the DOE, through Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola and Chief Investment Specialist Lisa G. Go, turned over 400 solar-powered lamps to Task Force Bangon Marawi and 131 solar-powered street lights to Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO). The street lights and solar lamps were received by LASURECO General Manager Nordjiana Ducol and Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office Executive Officer Director Ray Aniñon, respectively.

Based on the DOE’s E-Power Marawi unconventional program, a number of solar street lights will be installed before the holidays in the Transitional Shelter Site, while the rest will be put up in the Main Battle Area.

Working in close coordination with the DOE-Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office, Pepsi Co. and Phinma Corp. were able to donate the solar lamps and street lights, which were fabricated by the Correctional Institute for Women through the Liter of Light organization.

The logistics of the lighting units were made possible through the Manila Electric Co. for the vehicle and manpower support for transporting the items to Villamor Airbase; the Department of National Defense through Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine Air Force for transporting the items to Cagayan de Oro via C-130; Task Force Bangon Marawi for transporting the items from CDO to Marawi; and LASURECO for providing personnel and support on the ground.

Cusi said the DOE would extend all necessary help and support to the people of Marawi on their road to recovery, and work round-the-clock even during the holidays until access to energy in the area is already reliable, stable and sustainable.

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