A group of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholars has launched a charity project named “PailaJuan” which seeks to electrify remote areas in Ilocos Norte.
The DOST I-Science Education Institute (SEI) said the Movement of Ilocos Norte DOST Scholars or MINDS virtually launched the project, which was derived from Project Pasilaw initiated by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE project was aimed at energizing homes without access to power.
“The project specifically aims to electrify remote areas and provide alternative power sources to places where it is quite impossible to put up electric lines,” it said in a statement posted on the DOST Facebook page on Thursday.
The MINDS started the project in April this year, benefiting the towns of Batac, Dingras, Bacarra, and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña, DOST-Science Education Institute Director Josette T. Biyo, DOST Region I Director Armando Q. Ganal, and DOST Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Racquel M. Espiritu graced the virtual launch of the PailaJuan project.
“All the support needed by this project will be extended to your association for a more empowered DOST-SEI Patriot Scholars through Science and Technology,” de la Peña said, as he lauded the MINDS’ initiative amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Biyo also commended the group for initiating the project.
“The PailaJuan is truly commendable. It exemplifies DOST’s Science for the People mantra and demonstrates the scholars’ professional excellence, social responsibility, and servant leadership which are the Patriot Project Core Values,” she said.
MINDS president April Jieren R. Muska said the project “aims to give light and hope for every Filipino who does not have access to electricity, as well as to promote a safe environment that is conducive for learning and working especially in this pandemic.”
“This project also aims to inculcate the sense of volunteerism to the scholars for them to embody the core values of the DOST-SEI which are professional excellence, social responsibility and servant leadership,” she added.
The DOST said the project is eyeing to electrify 40 homes in towns of Batac, Dingras, Bacarra, and Sarrat.