There are One-Billion people in the world who suffer from energy poverty. In the Philippines, Twenty-Million people are affected. This means one-out-of-five Filipinos does not have access to energy for basic needs and livelihood.
“On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015).” http://www.light2015.org/Home/About.html
To raise awareness of the achievements of light science and its applications, and its importance to humankind, IYL 2015 opened in January. Out of all the UN member states, (only) 3 did not participate, the Philippines being one of them.
In the upcoming days, Filipinos from different sectors of society are coming together to create a revolution of light from the grassroots to the top.
To celebrate the 1oth anniversary of the Legazpi Sunday Market and in response to the Disaster Prevention Month of July 2015, the Liter of Light Project (see information about Liter of Light below) is presenting the first ever solar and emergency sustainable energy community festival in the Makati CBD to teach barangay heads as well as citizens about DIY emergency solar lighting.
To complement the government’s Contingency Plan for earthquakes and Pre-Disaster Recovery Plans, the foundation is having a workshop and volunteer day on Sunday, August 2, 2015 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Legazpi Sunday Market.
With the joint effort of barangay officials, residents, and partner agencies, the group aims to provide a concrete tool for citizen awareness and action plans in knowing the essentials in case they are suddenly forced to be off-grid for long periods of time.
At the SOLAR ENERGY FESTIVAL AT LEGAZPI SUNDAY MARKET, Liter of Light will introduce the public to DIY solar houselights and streetlights that will be built throughout the day using available parts in the Philippines. Students from Technological Institute of the Philippines, UST, and volunteer walk-ins will be building 200 houselights for two communities in Mindanao.
Since solar technology and emergency sustainable energy are burgeoning industries in the Philippines, there will be local innovators present to introduce themselves and their products (DIY lights, cooking, mobile, etc.) to the community. There will also be seminars on how to build your own streetlights and houselights by the Solar Power Philippines.
The Solar Energy Festival will offer a mix of technology, fun and creativity with musical performances, light art installations, and raffle prizes.
This event is organized by Liter of Light by MyShelter Foundation, Philippines – winner of the World Habitat Awards 2015 and Zayed Future Energy Prize 2015.
*Liter of Light has a goal to light up 1 million homes by the end of 2015. Join the tour of light as we journey to provide light to home and communities around the world!
HASHTAGS:
#lightupPH
#solarpowertothepeople
#solarenergyfestival
PARTNERS: LEGAZPI SUNDAY MARKET, PHILLIPS, TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, MACEA (Makati Commercial Estates Association, Inc.), BSLBA (Baranggay San Lorenzo Business Association, Inc.), SUIGENERIS, TESDA, ADOBO MAGAZINE, ZAYED, UNITED NATIONS
