SOLARES project officers headed to Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat at 3:00 A.M. on March 19, 2019 to meet and discuss with Kalamansig mayor Hon. Ronan Eugene Garcia at 10:00 A.M. Meeting agenda was the introduction of the SOLARES Project to Hon. Garcia including the project framework and the target beneficiaries, which included three barangays and tentatively 1020 target households within Kalamansig.
Hon. Garcia raised his concerns with the project’s specific recipients. There are GIDAs or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas in Kalamansig. These communities do not use any lighting at all during nighttime. Furthermore, these communities may not be capable of paying the monthly fee. The team clarified that the payment was for the project’s sustainability and maintenance. There will also be an initial ODK profiling, to identify eligible recipients. It was agreed that the team will return along with a representative from SUKELCO to further discuss the viable target areas.
Brgy. Capt. Albaladeso asked if it would be possible for the barangay halls and schools to be SHS recipients as this would seem atypical for households being energized while barangays are not. Apparently, this shall be clarified with SUKELCO first since the intention of SOLARES is to become a part of the electrification program of the electric cooperative.
In the afternoon, the team was scheduled to meet with LGU Lebak. with Lebak Administrative Officer Mr. Rusty Vilo. Mr. Vilo conveyed his support to the project and expressed his gratitude that Lebak was chosen as one of the target municipalities. He also shared about a previous solar-related project which awarded SHS units to certain communities after a one-time payment was uninformed the status of said project.
