THANKS to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, members of indigenous groups in Region XII have finally seen the light.

The agency provided solar panels to communities. It also trained some members on Photovoltaic System and Solar Panel Installation under “TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso” known as Project TALA.

The communities include Sitio Blit which is located at Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and Sitio Dalhag in Barangay Manobo, Magpet, Cotabato Province.

TESDA chief Isidro Lapeña is set to visit Sitio Blit this week to see for himself how the lives of the T’boli Tribe have improved since the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster of Region XII, led by TESDA-XII, implemented Project TALA in their community.

“These communities that TESDA has identified to start up a Barangay Development Project have different needs. Some of them are so far from the towns and cities that even the service of electricity can’t reach them. Sitio Blit is among these communities and we are glad to do more to empower the people in the area and other communities in the region,” he said.

Project TALA was first introduced in Sitio Blit in July last year. It was launched a few weeks later training 100 individuals in Photovoltaic System and Solar Panel Installation for a month.

In December last year, TESDA-XII and its partners brought solar panels and light bulbs in Sitio Blit and lighted up the community for the first time since it was inhabited by T’bolis more than 70 years ago.

Aman Odelen, a native of Sitio Blit, said that it was the only time that he saw their community light up since he was born 44 years ago.

“Now, our children can study better. We thank TESDA because they’re the one who started this program,” he said.

Meanwhile, 25 individuals from the Manobo Tribe in Sitio Dalhag, Manobo, Magpet, Cotabato Province also received solar equipment from TESDA after learning Photovoltaic System and Solar Panel Installation.

Lapeña visited Sitio Dalhag last year promising to light up the community. After eight months, his promise was fulfilled.

TESDA is committed to light up over 1,000 households in remote villages in SOCCSKSARGEN under Project TALA this year.