‘All-Lights Village’ program brings solar lights to IP communities in Surigao Sur town
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — For generations, families in the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in barangays Libas Sud and Bolhoon in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur relied on darkness once the sun set. Without access to the country’s electrification program, daily activities, children’s studies, and community safety remained a challenge.
That reality is beginning to change.
In a significant step toward inclusive development under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the barangays of Libas Sud and Bolhoon became the first communities in Mindanao to benefit from the program on ‘All-Lights Village: Where Light Brings Hope.’
The initiative was formally launched on July 2 through a partnership among the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the local government of San Miguel, and the Global Peace Foundation, marked by a ceremonial signing in Barangay Libas Sud.
As part of the project, 100 portable solar lights were distributed to beneficiary families, and solar-powered streetlights were installed in the two off-grid communities to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable lighting.
The project aims to improve residents’ quality of life by enhancing safety, mobility, and access to clean energy while bringing government services closer to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
For beneficiaries like Gena Tejero, the assistance represents more than access to electricity—it is the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream. Raised in the same community without electricity, she expressed gratitude that government services had finally reached their community.
“Dako among pasalamat sa mga nagpaluyo sa programa, ug hinaut nga mosunod na usab ang uban pang serbisyo para sa mga kabus” (We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported this program, and we hope more government services will continue to reach poor communities like ours), she said.
Another beneficiary, Lorena Bocales, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), said the solar lights would greatly improve the lives of families in the community.
“Sa ngalan sa among kumunidad, gusto namo ipaabot o ipadayag ang among kinasingkasing nga pagpasalamat sa tanan nga mitabang og naghatag kanamo og mga solar lights. Dako kaayo ni og tabang sa among kumunidad, labi na sa mga lugar nga kulang og suga sa gabie. Kini makahatag og dugang kauswagan, kahayag, og kasiguruhan sa matag pamilya” (On behalf of our community, we sincerely thank everyone who helped and provided us with these solar lights. This is a great help, especially in areas with little or no lighting at night. These will bring greater progress, brightness, and security to every family), she shared.
Bocales added that the community would take good care of the solar lights, especially the streetlights.
“Ug kining inyong gihatag kanamo nga mga solar lights, labina kadtong sa street lights, amo kining paga ampingan sama sa pag-amping sa among kinabuhi, kay usa kini nga naghatag og kahayag sa among kumunidad og sa among kaugalingon” (We will protect these solar lights, especially the streetlights, as we would protect our own lives because they bring light, safety, and hope to our community), she said.
Barangay officials also welcomed the initiative.
Punong Barangays Charlito Intas of Libas Sud and Gladys Mae Corilla-Cubero of Bolhoon, who also served as ex officio members of the Sangguniang Bayan, expressed their gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the local government of San Miguel, the provincial government of Surigao del Sur, and the Global Peace Foundation for selecting their communities as beneficiaries of the project. They also encouraged recipient families to properly use and maintain the solar lights to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the initiative.
The provincial government of Surigao del Sur, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), complemented the initiative by distributing school supplies to kindergarten learners in the community.
DSWD Caraga Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga said the initiative demonstrates that no community is too remote to receive government services when agencies and development partners work together.
“Kini usa nga nagpamatuod nga kung magtinabangay ang gobyerno og ang pribadong sektor, wala jud kumunidad nga layo aron maabtan sa tabang og serbisyo” (This proves that when the government and the private sector work together, no community is too far to receive assistance and essential services), Dollaga said.
She added that Libas Sud and Bolhoon were fortunate to become the first beneficiaries of the program in Mindanao.
“This is the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration and the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian that wherever people are in need, no matter how remote their community is, the government will reach them, listen to them, and respond with concrete action. The government is here, the DSWD is here, and we will continue bringing services to even the farthest communities so that no family will be left behind,” she emphasized.
The All-Lights Village: Where Light Brings Hope initiative reflects the national government’s commitment to expanding access to basic services and improving the lives of underserved communities through strong partnerships between government and the private sector.
For families in the communities, the solar lights illuminate more than their homes; they symbolize hope, opportunity, and the government’s commitment to ensure that development reaches even the most remote corners of the country, leaving no Filipino behind. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
