YAMOG, (which means morning dew) a Non –Government Organization, led the installation of the Solar  Powered Battery Charging StationProject that now brings electricity to 30 households in the remote village of Barangay Bantol.

USAID / Winrock International AMORE provided support for skill capacity building for community  through the YAMOG’s Community Building Unit, which conducted training and seminars and organizing works in the community. The Davao Light & Power Company provided the materials (solar panels, batteries & fluorescent lamps). The Technology Development Unit of Yamog with the cooperation of Community Electricians installed the battery charging systems (BCS).

The solar system provide power, the 30 households, 2 street lighting facilities located at the barangay hall and the school premises. At present, children can study at night while the adults listen to newscasts or music from their radios or karaoke connected to their batteries.

Cooperation Catalysis a Community

The Barangay Bantol Community Development Association (BANTRECDA) led the association on project organizing after the project turn – over. The association collects electricity tariffs, handles accounting, pays the battery charger operators and community trained electricians, and keeps the solar powered battery charging station in good condition. They participated in trainings that covered everything from Organizational Development and Project Management to Operation and Maintenance of the battery charging systems and household lighting system.

YAMOG which is based in Mindanao and has experience in other community – based project like micro – hydropower and the installation of potable water system help shape a project by way of developing a feasibility study, technical designs, watershed planning, technical supervision in construction and installations of Renewable Energy Projects and community organizing.