TARLAC CITY — A total of 25 Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Capas, Tarlac undergo an 8-day Basic Solar Power Installation training.
This initiative is part of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict under the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) chaired by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (3rd Mech) Commander Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Henry Cabusao acknowledged the training’s benefits.
“This will be beneficial to the Aeta community in Sitio Balatong as they have no access to electricity,” he said.
Northern Luzon Command identified the 25 beneficiaries of the Aeta Mag-Antsi Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) of Sitio Balatong in Barangay Maruglu, Capas while 3rd Mech provided security assistance during the launching.
The training includes installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and taking good care of solar-powered lights.
Upon completion of training, the solar powered devices are for the trainees to keep.
In addition, relief goods were distributed to the IP trainees.
Tribal chieftain Danilo Sumaoang thanked the stakeholders for the opportunity given to them.
“I am grateful to all the agencies of the government who came here and gave us this blessings,” he said.
“Our community is far and we have no access to electricity, that’s why we are grateful to all of you,” Sumaoang added.
For his part, 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr., lauded the initiative of the PRLEC through TESDA.
“This will capacitate ICCs in Solar Power Installation and will enable them to light up their homes and streets at night,” he said.
Other partners in this endeavor include the Philippine National Police, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, municipal government of Capas, Rotary Club San Juan Del Monte and Rotary Club Midtown Tarlac.