Global Peace Leadership Exchange, All Lights Project contributes on provisional relief to energy limitation in Northern Luzon, Philippines
In his speech dated January 21st, 2012, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III stated that “there are 30,000 sitios nationwide without electricity” during the “Project Heart & Soul,” a household electrification project launching of the Department of Energy in Malacañang, Manila. “This big number of Filipinos in darkness is a great impediment to our nation’s economic growth and educational progress,” he added.
Global Peace Festival Foundation (GPFF) provides an interim relief to energy limitation in remote communities through the Philippine-Korea Global Peace Leadership Exchange (GPLE) AllLights Project. GPLE started giving solar lanterns to 120 families in Milbuk, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat in October last year. This was followed by another Alllights Project in Maitum, Sarangani, where 100 families received solar lanterns in December 2011.
This year, GPLE kicked-off with an AllLights Project plus an “All Lights Village” project in Nueva Ecija. The 3rd GPLE was held on February 27 to March 1 with the biggest delegation from Korea (72 volunteers) participating in 3 project sites in Palayan City, and the municipalities of Laur and Gabaldon.
Remote sitios in Nueva Ecija rely on kerosene lanterns for their lighting needs. Yet, the problems in using kerosene lanterns are well-documented:
fire hazard, high cost of kerosene, inadequate quality of light (in studying), and respiratory illness for women and children due to indoor air pollution.
They sealed a partnership in mutual trust and respect to achieve world peace and a balanced development through the harmony of religious affiliations and family values, and service for peace through friendship and cooperation.
The Global Peace Leadership Exchange (GPLE) aims to promote an inter-cultural exchange between Koreans and local leaders of Nueva Ecija. GPLE highlighted the brotherhood and sisterhood ceremony which will bind a local leader with a Korean as new-found brothers or sisters. During the ceremony, they signed a certificate that sealed their relation within the vision of “One Family under God”. A ceremonial turnover of the solar lamps was represented by Barangay Captains of the three selected communities.
GPLE Korean delegates with a family recipient of All Lights Project in Sitio Karugang, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija
In response to this, GPFF Philippines in conjunction with GPFF Korea initiated a campaign dubbed, “All Lights Village Project”. The “All Lights” project aims at replacing kerosene lamps with safer, less expensive, healthier and more environment-friendly solar lanterns. The “All Lights “project helps children and workers get decent light at night by using a solar-powered lantern. While using this solar LED lantern, children can study their lessons and other family members can do household chores during night time, and they would not endanger their lives with paraffin lights.
The leadership of Dr. David Yoo (president, GPFF Korea) and Dr. Michael Zablan (president, GPFF Philippines) brought the “All Lights Village” project to Nueva Ecija through the Global Peace Leadership Exchange with the support of the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Aurelio M. Umali.
GPLE/ AllLights Project receive media attention: UNTV Station interviews Dr. David Yoo and
Atty. Alejandro Abesamis
On February 28, GPFF Korea delegates were warmly welcomed by the Drum & Lyre Corps of Pascual Elementary School of Palayan City. All department heads of the provincial government headed by the provincial administrator Atty. Alejandro Abesamis welcome them at the Sierra Madre Suites where they were billeted. Gov. Umali prepared a sumptuous buffet dinner and entertainment by the Haranista, the cultural singing group of Nueva Ecija.
On February 29, the provincial government prepared a tree planting activity in triple partnership (1 korean delegate, 1 Philippine National Police officer & 1 provincial capitol employee). GPFF officials then met with Congresswoman Czarina Umali (Representative, 3rd District of Nueva Ecija) during their visit at the CARAVAN program of the province where all services are offered to the community people in Caimito Elementary School. They also witnessed the Mais Festival of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST). At the same time, the provincial TV Network, TV48, rendered an hour interview to Dr. David Yoo, Dr. Michael Zablan and Dr. Primitivo Chua.
GPLE delegates join Tree Planting Activity prepared
by provincial government.
Home visitation was done simultaneously. Koreans crossed rivers and climbed mountains to directly handover their solar lamp donation and gifts to their foster families. Through experiencing the living conditions of their foster families, they were able to build a closer bond.
The administration of Governor Aurelio Umali was supportive in collaborating with GPFF in realizing the dream of his constituents and substantiating the target of GPFF in contributing to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs).
In total, eight (8) sitios with 200 families received the solar lanterns, while three (3) big sitios were inaugurated with the “All Lights Village”. The first “All Lights Village” was in Sitio.
“All Lights Village”: Sitio Karugang,
Brgy. Bugnan, Gabaldon
Karugang, Brgy. Bugnan, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Fifty-three families reside in this place and they all received the solar lanterns. Two more neighboring sitios, Sitio Pag-asa, Brgy. Malinao with seven families and Sitio Landing, Brgy. Bagong Sicat with five families, received the solar lamps. Mayor Rolando S. Bue and Brgy. Captain Reynaldo De Leon and their councils were thankful, cooperative and supportive to this project. They joined the Koreans in crossing the river to reach their foster families’ homes.
The second “All Lights Village” was in Sitio Sinipit, Brgy. Santolan Extension, Palayan City with 37 families residing. All families received the solar lamps too along with two (2) other sitios -- Sitio Daplis, Brgy. Manggahan with 12 families and Sitio Karuhatan with 10 families. Mayor Romeo Capinpin was thankful for this program of GPFF and to all donors.
The third “All Lights Village’ was in Sitio Camias, Brgy. San Juan, Laur with fifty-three families as beneficiaries of the solar lamps. Mayor Alvaro Daus and his local leaders were happy to receive the Korean donors who bravely climbed the mountain to reach their homes.
All the beneficiaries were happy to experience a safe and healthy solar lantern that will light up their homes and their future.
GPFF chapters in Korea and Philippines are committed to drive these communities to develop further and will offer more sustainable programs for their children to strengthen their beliefs in the fulfillment of their dreams. GPFF plans to hold a student exchange program in Nueva Ecija for its next program.
Alllights Village
Projects