While electricity in storm-hit Catanduanes has yet to be restored, a group of friends launched a fundraising campaign to light up the dark nights of Catandunganons.
The project is personal to friends Yllaisa Gianan, Myca Pinlac, Althea Taway, Anthon Abrina, and Mark de Leon who hail from Catanduanes and currently residing in Manila.
"Naisip ko na magandang idea ang solar lamps na idagdag sa ipamimigay (I thought that it's a good idea to donate solar lamps) because I grew up San Andres, Catanduanes and I experienced a lot of power cuts due to bad weather, strong typhoons, and even just in a normal day. Living with dark evening and no light to guide our path is not easy, so we decided to start this drive," Pinlac told Manila Bulletin.
The supply of candles is not enough to meet the demands of Catandunganons since the island is known for its frequent blackouts, according to Gianan.
"Isa na yung kandila sa pagkakagastusan pa nila on top of other necessities. Alam namin na it usually takes months bago ma-restore ang kuryente and kahit pa mabalik na, malala talaga ang brownout sa Catanduanes. Bibihira ang araw na hindi mag-b-brownout (Candles will add up to their expenses on top of other necessities. We know it usually takes months before electricity is restored, and even if power is restored, the brownout in Catanduanes is really bad. You can count the days when we have power)," Taway added.
The solar lamps don't need electricity to function. The light is powered by the sun's energy that could last up to six hours. The lamps also function as a phone charger.
As of Wednesday (Nov. 25), the group was able to raise P60,778 and has already lighted the homes of 360 families in Virac, San Andres, and Gigmoto -- the towns most affected by Typhoon "Rolly." They are planning to distribute more solar lamps this week.
Their beneficiaries are senior citizens, students, and residents who live in partially and totally damaged houses in far-flung areas.
Residents still struggling
A lot of families are still struggling nearly a month after "Rolly," the world's most powerful typhoon in 2020, made a landfall and battered the island.
"A lot of families are still struggling given that they have to start from scratch -- no more homes, livelihood, and food on the table plus we still have a pandemic but still, they are full of hope and faith that they could get through this stronger and better," Gianan said.
Families who received the solar lamps are thankful because they will no longer grope in the dark at night.
"Sobra-sobra yung tuwa na nararamdaman ng mga pinagbibigyan, marami rin ang nag-message sakin na malaking tulong yung solar lamps sa kanila dahil kahit papaano may liwanag na ang bawat bahay tuwing sasapit ang gabi (Those who received the lamps were so happy. Some have sent me messages how the lamps have been so helpful in lighting their homes at night)," Pinlac said.
"Merong isang lugar sa Virac, sa ilang parte sa Moonwalk kwento nila ever since ay wala palang ilaw ang kuryente doon kahit bago pa humagupit ang bagyong Rolly, at sobrang laking tulong sa kanila ng solar lamps (There is a place in Virac, some parts of Moonwalk where residents said they never had electricity even before Typhoon Rolly hit, and the solar lamps were a big help to them)," she added.
Restoring power in Catanduanes could take two months, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The Department of Energy aims to restore power in the island before Christmas.