THE MILITARY installed solar panels to light up an Indigenous People’s village in Abra.

The Solar Electrification Project of the Philippine Army also benefited students.

Members of the 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion installed at least 60 solar panels in Sitio Batayan, Barangay Alangtin, Tubo, on June 20, 2021.

Lt. Colonel Sonny E. Gonzales, Commanding Officer of the 71IB, said the activity was in line with the Solar Electrification Project dubbed “Light of Peace Project” in collaboration with the One Arellano Builders, Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation Incorporated.

The troops installed a 1.2-kilowatt electrification system that lighted 10 solar street lights and 50 households of the Itnig IP community.

Itnig elder Julie Labawig thanked the soldiers and the donors who helped make the project possible.

Parents of students were also grateful, saying their children can now review their modules even at night.

“Even teachers can do their lesson plan at night,” Labawig said.

The Commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Major General Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., lauded the successful collaborative electrification project.

“Sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito nabigyan natin ng ilaw ang mga kabahayan ng tribung Itnig na makatutulong sa pag-aaral ng mga bata sa gabi at magbibigay liwanag sa kanilang mga daanan. Patunay ito na sa pagkakaisa ng marami mas higit ang natutulungan,” Rosario said.