Power Distribution Firm, School Partner on Capacitating Lumads in Davao

Davao City (PNA) – The Davao Light and Power Company collaborated with the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) on capacity building program for the lumad community in remote barangay of Gumitan in Marilog District, this city.

The partnership is part of Davao Light and AdDU’s Mindanawon Initiative for Cultural Dialogue (AdDU-MICD) which is aimed at empowering the Indigenous Peoples within the power firm’s franchise area.

Fermin Edillon, Community Relations Manager of Davao Light, said the partnership emanated after Davao Light installed a solar charging station last December 27, 2014 in Gumitan, which is an off-grid area. Edillon said Davao Light has seen the potential of the tribe, thus he wanted to create a sustaining project that will provide livelihood and at the same time improve skills.

This made the electric utility to partner with a lumad-focused organization, the AdDU-MICD, which has been Davao Light’s long-time partner in empowering the Lumads.

AdDU-MICD, which has long been a long-time partner of Davao Light, helped in organizing Gumitan’s Women Farmer Development Association (GWFDA), which is the recipient of this capacity building project.

Under GWFDA, the lumads could enhance their abilities that will allow them to achieve measurable and sustainable results necessary in the operations of the solar charging station. The program also includes various workshops including technical assistance. Davao Light also hopes to sustain the culture of the tribes while supporting them cope with the fast-changing society.

Davao Light is also set another solar-charging station in another lumad community located in an off-grid area of Davao Light’s franchise.

Meanwhile, Davao Light also turned over P200,000 to AdDU-MICD as support to its Lumad Scholarship Program, a continuing education program since 2003 to allow Lumads get a college degree in various colleges and universities within its franchise. (PNA) CTB/LCM/PR/LDP