EU-funded project powers 16 off-grid schools
By Myrna M. Velasco – July 18, 2022, 3:07 AM
from Manila Bulletin
The EU-funded Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY) project of the corporate foundation of Garcia-led Vivant Corporation has completed the energization of at least 16 off-grid schools via solar power that subsequently provided livelihood to women in communities.
Given that achievement, Project RELY had been recently bequeathed the Outstanding CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Project in Education Award in the Europa Awards 2022 of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP); and another recognition in the 2022 CSR Guild Awards of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).
According to Vivant Foundation, the off-grid schools that had been given energy access through the deployment of clean technologies are those in Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, which are also the host-communities of the power projects of the company.
Off-grid schools refer to the academic institutions that are sited in areas not directly connected to the main power grids with difficult physical access and connection to electricity services.
RELY flourished as an initiative in uplifting the state of some Philippine academic institutions, via the funding extended by the EU and implemented through the collaboration of German entity sequa gGmbH, Vivant Foundation and Process-Bohol.
As specified, the project was nominated to both awards by Vivant Foundation, being the main implementing-entity of the solar energization component and the upgrading of the technical-vocational education of the five beneficiary-senior high schools in Cebu, Bohol and Palawan.
Vivant Foundation Executive Director Shem Jose W. Garcia regards the two awards as recognition of their accomplishments, chiefly in “the project’s impact in more than one field – with one award for renewable energy and another for education, as we feel the strength of the project is that it doesn’t just address one issue.”
He qualified that the EU grant, in particular, “allowed us to bring the project to more schools than we could do on our own.”
Garcia further asserted that the project’s success “wouldn’t have been possible without a strong partnership with Sequa and PROCESS Bohol in a solid partnership where each of us brought our own strengths to the table that enabled us to complete the project despite the challenges of the pandemic.”
It was emphasized that the Europa Award for Clean and Green Energy is accorded to “a company or undertaking that has helped the Philippines achieve its greenhouse reduction targets by promoting clean energy.”
Additionally, the CSR Guild Award of the LCF “recognizes Project RELY’s contribution to improving education by installing solar energy in off-grid and remote schools that not only makes classrooms conducive for learning, but also allows students access to essential learning tools like computers.”
Onward, Vivant noted that even if the EU-funded component of Project RELY had already been completed, its corporate foundation will continue “to replicate its pilot off-grid solar energization project in Coron, Palawan, and aims to extend the project to one school annually.”
Christened as ‘Project Liadlaw’, it was indicated that the pilot initiative on this new program will “combine solar energization and the upgrading of the Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) track of a nearby senior high school to ensure proper maintenance and repair of the PV (photovoltaic) installation.
For the EIM upgrade, the project will form a pool of students who will maintain the solar installation as part of their practical training.
Garcia enthused “we designed the project to be forward-looking, not only for the off-grid school but for students of the upgraded EIM who will graduate with knowledge and skills that are needed in the future of energy.”
