JCI Phil. brings light to poor communities

The Junior Chamber International ( JCI) Philippines launched one of its flagship projects, Light Up Philippines, last June 16 at the Provincial Capitol.

The project aims to distribute solar kits to off-grid communities and light up their homes.

The project stemmed from a chapter initiative in 2015 by JCI Cebu with Climate Reality Project Philippines, Cebu Technological University (CTU) and Sunmagnet Philippines Corp. through then Light Up Cebu (LUCe).

“Light Up Cebu was able to deploy over 100 solar kits benefitting over 100 families and 500 children who are now able to study in their homes with light from a renewable source of energy,” said Joeven Lee, national chairman of Light Up Philippines.

“In a span of one year, with the help of Climate Reality Project, CTU, Films and Media Arts International Academy and Sunmagnet Philippines Corp., Light Up Cebu was able to reach at least five island and mountain barangays.”

These are Barangays Laban- gon, Toong and Buhisan in Cebu City; Hilutungan Island in Mactan; and Kinatarcan Island in Bantayan, Lee said.

In 2015, a photo of a nine-yearold boy studying by the light of a fast food chain in Cebu went viral on social media and captured the hearts of netizens.

His diligence in studying despite the lack of light in his home became the inspiration of JCI Cebu, Inc. to launch Light Up Cebu.

Light Up Philippines is open to partnerships with donors in their future projects.

Light Up Cebu partnered with Climate Reality Project to address climate change and help reduce carbon footprints through the use of renewable energy.

CTU provided the manpower and technical skills in the installation, assuring that the solar panels are deployed properly.

Sunmagnet Philippines Corp. is the official solar technology provider of the project kits from Dataphil Educators Inc. /