No More ‘Burning Of Midnight Oil’ For Students In Misamis Oriental

Thanks to free solar-powered lamps, hundreds of learners in Misamis Oriental can now extend their study time without burning the midnight oil.

Under the “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project, the Department of Education (DepEd) Misamis Oriental Division has generated enough funds through several activities to provide solar-powered lamps in 368 homes that are either un-energized or are in remote and off-grid areas in Misamis Oriental.

According to DepEd Misamis Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Limbaco, division personnel and teachers organized a rummage sale and sold second-hand clothing and products. They also offered fresh vegetables and fruits at the Schools Division Office and at schools. This fundraising campaign was conducted from October to December 2015.

The said project by DepEd Misamis Oriental Division is an offshoot of DepEd’s “One Child, One Lamp” campaign, which seeks to raise funds for the purchase of solar lamps which will then be distributed to students in off-grid areas.

“One Child, One Lamp” is a component of LightEd PH Campaign, an umbrella campaign also by DepEd, which provides solutions through conventional and alternative sources of energy to schools that have no power.

“Students in off-grid barangays have limited time to study at night. Providing them electricity or solar lamps will help them extend their study time, thus increasing the chance to improve their academic performance,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages Mario Deriquito.

As of School Year 2013-2014, there are at least 1,101,051 students who have limited access to technology due to unavailability of electricity.

“The health of these students is also at risk from using kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes, which is the only means for them to study at night,” Deriquito added.