School in Cordova's isle acquires solar power

CEBU, Philippines - Cordova local government officials and two Cebu City councilors last Friday turned over a 5,220-watt solar panel to the Hilutungan Elementary School in Hilutungan Island, donated by the SunEdison Company, an American-based solar technology manufacturing firm.

SunEdison was represented by Cristina Osmeña, daughter of Senator Sergio Osmeña III and wife of the company's vice president.

Cristina was accompanied by Cordova town Mayor Adelino Sitoy and Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy- Cho along with Cebu City Councilors Nestor Archival and Robert Cabbarubias.

"This is the first of its kind in the whole municipality of Cordova," Sitoy said in his speech on the installed solar power source for the school of 400 pupils, from kindergarten to Grade 7.

Sitoy, during the turnover ceremony, said the renewable solar panel can sustain the electricity needs of the school.

The 18 solar panels, with 290-watt each, has a control room below it and were designed by Archival, who is also the president of the Cebu City-based N.A. Systems Engineering Company.

Archival said the project, which cost about P3 million, is environment friendly because it has no emission. "The design was made to serve the school, its lights and its 10 computer units," he said, but added that the use of the solar panels should be taken care off so that draining of battery can be avoided.

"If this is used for 24 hours, the battery is drained and destroyed. So, during the day, don't use the lights, and keep the battery charged so that by evening, this will be used also," said Archival.

Marites Abatayo, principal of Hilutungan Elementary School, said the solar panel is a big help and the pupils can now use their computers for eight hours instead of four hours in the past due to power shortage in the island.

Sitoy said it was Cristina's uncle, former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who contacted him about his niece who was looking for a school needing help for lack of electricity. Sitoy in turn suggested this school in Hilutungan.

Cristina, who was born and raised in the United States, said she was happy to helped the school. "You can change your future and you can have the chance to study (abroad); it is our pleasure to give you the (solar power) system," she told the pupils. —RAE (FREEMAN)