Over 50 households of the Batak community in Sitio Tagnaya, Barangay Concepcion, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan received stand-alone solar units from Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI)’s SINAG Program. This initiative was in partnership with the Local Barangay Council of Concepcion, and the City Health Office of Puerto Princesa in response to the community’s expressed need for solar power during consultations.
Sitio Tagnaya is an isolated area. Reaching it from the National Highway requires nearly two hours of walking, crossing six rivers, and climbing steep slopes. As such, these households have remained off the grid for many years, and their lack of access to reliable electricity has hampered their community’s well-being. The Batak community faces significant challenges: children struggle to study after dark and parents cannot continue their weaving handicraft production. Power is essential for the education of the children and the livelihood of the parents.
Concepcion Barangay Captain Job Francisco expressed the community’s gratitude. He talked about the Batak community’s nighttime challenges and emphasized the invaluable support from PSFI and Shell in addressing these needs sustainably. Mary Jane Gupo, a representative of the Batak community, conveyed her appreciation on behalf of their Chieftain for the continued support from PSFI and Barangay Captain Francisco. According to her, these solar units would greatly improve their daily lives.
The distribution of stand-alone solar units last May was made possible through the kindness of the public who donated during PSFI’s SINAG crowdfunding campaign last year, and the generous support of Shell employees.
Concepcion Barangay Captain Job Francisco expressed the community’s gratitude. He talked about the Batak community’s nighttime challenges and emphasized the invaluable support from PSFI and Shell in addressing these needs sustainably. Mary Jane Gupo, a representative of the Batak community, conveyed her appreciation on behalf of their Chieftain for the continued support from PSFI and Barangay Captain Francisco. According to her, these solar units would greatly improve their daily lives.
The distribution of stand-alone solar units last May was made possible through the kindness of the public who donated during PSFI’s SINAG crowdfunding campaign last year, and the generous support of Shell employees.
In addition to providing solar units, the PSFI team conducted Malaria blood smearing for residents and distributed mosquito nets to protect against mosquito bites at night, with assistance from the City Health Office.
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