Congress backs ‘Liter of Light’

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has fully embraced solar light innovation that started in the Philippines and eventually become globally renowned.

This was manifested through House Resolution 228 citing MyShelter Foundation for its work in providing clean and sustainable lighting solutions in the country.

 The foundation, through its “Liter of Light” Project, helps brighten up the homes of needy families, using recycled soft drink bottles as solar light bulbs.

 HR 228 was ratified in line with this year’s global observance of the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly during its 68th Session on Dec. 20, 2013.

 Giving added dimension to the occasion was a training workshop on making solar bottle lamps, as well as a ceremonial switch-on of the lights at the main building driveway of the House of Representatives -- using recycled Pepsi bottles transformed into street lamp bulbs.

 Liter of Light project head and MyShelter Foundation executive director Illac Diaz III noted that 2015 “has become a banner year for Liter of Light.”

The UN proclaimed 2015 as International Year of Light and Light--based Technologies (IYL) to underscore the importance of raising global awareness on how light--based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

Liter of Light was cited as one of the key projects under the IYL.

“As the Liter of Light project gains more momentum as a game-changing community intervention for sustainable energy, Pepsi is honored to be its active partner in lighting up the dark corners of the country. We are pleased to be associated with a home-grown initiative which the international community has duly recognized,” said Jika Dalupan, vice president for corporate affairs and communications, Pepsi Philippines.