N Cotabato farmers go high-tech

Agrarian reform beneficiaries from the upland farming communities of Alamada, North Cotabato now enjoy the benefits of illuminated nights courtesy of the P3.3-billion RP-Spain Solar Power Technology Support Project (SPOTS).

According to Acting Land Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, "the 39-million peso solar power lighting project in the Alamada agrarian reform community (ARC) is just one component of the SPOTS project situated in the various ARCs in the provinces of Mindanao."

Pangandaman disclosed that for the Alamada ARC alone, the SPOTS package included 285 individual solar home lighting systems; three level II potable water systems and two AC-10 systems that will benefit around 1,000 farmer-households.

"We also provided, with the help of the Spanish government, lighting systems for the community, barangay halls, health centers and schools," Pangandaman added.

Alfredo Magbanua, people’s organization chairman noted that, "since SPOTS was implemented, family and neigbhorhood interaction have since then improved, our children can now study at night, sari-sari store operations during nightime also flourished." "Even animal rustling was also lessened," he dded.

N. Cotabato provincial agrarian reform officer (PARO) Marion Abella said the SPOTS project which benefits the barangay of Upper Mapurok, Rangayen, Pigcawaran and Macabasa uses solar panels and photovoltaic energy systems to provide electricity for lighting.

"Our children in school now study using television and lessons in DVD. Vaccines are ready in a controlled freezer. And our plaza-sports court are well lighted at night," Magbanua beamed.

In line with President Arroyo’s 10-point program, SPOTS addresses Her Excellency’s concern for agricultural productivity in the rural setting by equipping farmers with basic infrastructure support services and technology thereby improving their quality of life.