LA TRINIDAD, Benguet(PIA)–The partnership of the Benguet police force with various government offices and the private sector has brought light to four households in a remote village in Kibungan, Benguet.
On Wednesday, February 22, the Benguet Provincial Police Office Director PCol. Damian Olsim, Benguet PPO Provincial Police Office and its Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) Chairman and Governor Melchor Diclas, PAGPTD members Rafael Valencia and Pastor Mayao Santiago with Kibungan Councilor Joseph Cayad-an led the turn over and ceremonial switch on of the solar panel energy system in Sitio Lipucan in Barangay Poblacion in Kibungan and witnessed by the community.
Benguet PPO Provincial Director PCol. Damian Olsim
Olsim said that the pailaw project is part of the social cultural advocacy and activity of the Benguet PPO thru its advisory group and the Benguet PLGU to provide light and source of power particularly to the unenergized and far flung areas in the province. The solar panels were funded through the Adivay fun-shoot fund-raising activity initiated by Olsim and Diclas.
“Aside from ensuring a peaceful and orderly community, the police also conducts socio cultural activities such as the Pailaw project which is an advocacy of our office with the advisory group to provide light and electricity to houses which still cannot be reached by the electric cooperatives. Rest assured that the project will continue to bring power to more houses to far flung areas in our province of Benguet,” Olsim said.
The initial Pailaw project was done in in Tuba, Benguet in January 2023, he said.
Diclas said that Pailaw project of the PAGPTD is also part of the programs of the government to reach out and address the needs of those in geographically isolated and depressed areas.
“This Pailaw project was realized thru the partnership of the police force with the provincial government, other government agencies and the private sector to provide light and electricity to the far flung communities in Benguet,” said Diclas.
Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas
The Governor also committed to fund the road opening leading to sitio Lipucan which could be reached after a two-kilometer uphill hike along the mountainous terrain.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the people and offices that brought lights to their homes and their community after so many years of waiting.
84- years old Ama Kideng Teligo, the oldest beneficiary, thanked the people behind the Pailaw project and expressed gladness that electricity has finally reached his home, which has been experiencing darkness at night for a long, long time.
“We thank you for your effort in coming to our small community and personally turning over the solar energy system. We pray that the Lord continue to provide you blessings that would provide more projects such as the pailaw to more beneficiaries,” the elder said.
Leganio Lawana, 44, also thanked the officials and other personnel and the sponsors who brought the light and electricity to their homes.
“Grabe ang hirap ng buhay noong wala pa kaming ilaw at kuryente. Lalo na noong COVID, doon talaga naming naramdaman ang hirap ng walang ilaw lalo na at kaming mga parents and nagtuturo sa mga anak namin tuwing gabi pagkatapos naming magtrabaho at ang hirap ng walang ilaw,” Lawana said.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin at kami ang napiling nabigyan ng kuryente at pailaw. Sobrang saya namin at ngayon naming nararamdaman na may gobyerno pala na pwedeng tumulong sa amin,” the teary eyed beneficiary said in an interview. (JDP/RMC- PIA-CAR)
