Energizer and OML embark on second solar-lights distribution drive in Rizal

LIGHT OF CHANGE.  A young student can now be able to study at night thanks to the solar-powered lanterns donated by Energizer to Barangay Puray, Rizal. 

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A MILLION THANKS. Residents of Barangay Puray, Rodriguez Rizal happily shows off the solar powered-lamps given by Energizer Philippines, Inc. and One Million Lights. 

Energizer and OML embark on second solar-lights distribution drive in Rizal

Energizer Philippines is set to bring more light to the lives of the people living in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal, as it prepares to distribute 280 solar-powered lights. 

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This community outreach program is part of the “Spreading Positivenergy™” campaign spearheaded by Energizer together with its nonprofit partner organization, One Million Lights (OML) Philippines. This is the second time for Energizer and OML PH to visit Barangay Puray since the launch of the campaign in the locality in March, during which their teams distributed 100 solar-powered lights to 750 individuals.

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This time around, Energizer and OML PH expect to distribute three times as much light. Home to thousands of the poorest people in the province, Barangay Puray is isolated by the Mascap Mountain Range and a network of rivers, with dirt roads accessible only by trucks and 4 x 4 vehicles.

Being so far off the grid, the area has no access to electricity, leaving residents to spend 30 percent of their daily income—around Php10-20 a day—on unsafe sources of lighting such as kerosene lamps, candles, firewood, and makeshift gas lamps.  The solar lights being distributed for free are far safer and more affordable than traditional candles, kerosene, and any alcohol- or oil-based lamp.  When charged during the daytime, these solar lights can illuminate up to 5 hours at night on high-mode or as much 24 hours on low mode.

To help give better and safer light sources to people who live in such remote communities nationwide is the noble cause that has brought together Energizer Philippines and OML Philippines. The campaign intends to raise awareness of the need to have safe, renewable and affordable lighting systems to benefit poor Filipinos who rely on hazardous lighting alternatives in the absence of electricity in their areas.

Energizer Philippines’ Brand Manager Joan Mendoza affirms the company’s continuing commitment to support OML Philippines in its cause. “This local initiative is part of the new Energizer platform called “That’s Positivenergy_™”, which represents Energizer’s long-standing commitment to products and partnerships that help make the world a better place,” she says. “We are proud to be able to contribute to the well-being of our poor fellow Filipinos in such an affordable, safe and environmentally sustainable way.”

OML Philippines Founder and Country Head Mark Lozano expressed his gratitude for the strong support given by Energizer Philippines. “Our ideals of helping the poor and making a positive change in society would never have been realized without the corporate partnership that we have forged with the Energizer team,” he said. “We hope our alliance will continue as we intend to go on lighting up the lives of more Filipinos.”

The campaign is being done on a global scale, with the Philippines being one of this year’s four country-recipients of Energizer solar-powered lights, along with Argentina, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In 2011, Energizer and the global OML organization donated 11 million hours of solar light and have pledged to donate 12 million more hours of light in 2012 to help rural families work, study, and play a little longer each day. It is estimated that more than 1.6 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity.

In the Philippines, around 15 million Filipinos living in more than 2,270 barangays nationwide have no access to electricity. Since launching the local leg of the campaign, Energizer and OML Philippines have already distributed solar-powered lights to the rural towns of Oriental Mindoro, Catanduanes, Eastern Samar, Kalinga Apayao, Ifugao and Mountain Province, benefiting nearly 15,000 poor individuals.

Joining the team in their second visit to Barangay Puray are the members of the Business Administration Student Council of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.  Energizer will also distribute Schick razors and flashlights and batteries to barangay officials.