NGCP launches Green Spark program in Rizal
By Alena Mae S. Flores – October 22, 2019 at 08:25 pm
from manilastandard.net
Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines teamed up with the University of the Philippines to empower communities and promote livelihood skills, thereby helping uplift the lives of Filipinos.
NGCP, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc., launched a program to empower communities through renewable energy technology. NGCP’s Green Spark Program and UPLBFI’s three-component project seek to address the need for transportation and power source for the community even during calamities.
Under the project, the parties agreed to develop renewable, stand-alone technology, tailor-fit to meet the specific needs of Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal.
The pilot community has no source of electricity but hosts two NGCP transmission lines, namely the San Jose-Tayabas 500 kiloVolt and San Jose-Taytay 230kV transmission lines.
Both transmission lines serve a large bulk of Metro Manila’s power requirements.
The company recently turned over one electric integrated solar and wind charging station, one electric hand tractor with cargo trailer and four electric tricycles to the un-energized community.
According to NGCP, the charging station will provide a renewable source of electricity. The tractor will allow the community to boost agricultural production and the e-vehicles will provide more mobility for the residents.
More than 10,000 residents in the area rely heavily on agriculture. During the rainy season, the dirt roads and rolling terrain make it difficult for farmers to transport their harvests.
NGCP in partnership with UP is pursuing a strategy to empower marginalized sectors of host communities of opportunities for self-reliance, focusing on skills training and livelihood programs.
Under the program, individuals are given skills training on bamboo and buri handicrafts; welding; sewing; baking; cooking; meat processing; food processing; cacao nursery; herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants gardening; micro-poultry; bread making; clay pottery; vinegar making; and snack and dessert preparation.
The NGCP-UP Skills Camp has so far served 494 trainees in thirteen communities, benefiting communities such as San Gonzalo in Labrador, Pangasinan; Sampaloc 3 in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Nagtupacan in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur; Barangay 4 Quinale in Paete, Laguna; Hilusig in Mahaplag, Leyte; Bankas Heights in Toril, Davao City; and Balsik in Hermosa, Bataan.
NGCP also conducted medical missions and educational support in various communities hosting its operations.
NGCP operates the country’s transmission network through its concession with the government.
