180 villages get power in Mindanao

Manila: A US-funded power programme has brought electricity to 180 villages in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The switching-on ceremony held on Friday, organised by the US-funded Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy Program (Amore) and ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, coincided with the Laylatul Al Qadr, an important day during Ramadan.

The solar-powered lighting facilities in the 180 villages were switched on during a symbolic ceremony held at Ampatuan's liaison office in the town of Sharif Aguak in Maguindanao Province.

Muslim clerics, representatives of the provincial peace and order council, and lawyer Mustapha Sambolawan, the newly installed manager of the World Bank-funded ARMM Social Fund Project attended the event.

According to Amore officials, the community solar power facilities got the assistance of Mirant Philippines Foundation and Winrock International, both involved in various rehabilitation projects for the poor.

Each solar panel and storage batteries cost 75,000 pesos. Amore now benefits 400 households in the ARMM and surrounding regions. The number is expected to increase threefold in the next three years.

Ampatuan said ARMM residents were grateful for the support of foreign donors in rebuilding Muslim communities still reeling from past armed conflicts.

Ustadz Farid Solaiman, the grand preacher here, said the lighting project was a symbol of "enlightenment and wisdom" for both Christians and Muslim residents to unite in peace, do good and reject evil.