But how long can these idyllic states last?
Not too long we hope. We know that progress comes about with technological changes, and it starts with a light bulb shining at the door. With electricity, people and goods are made to move faster. One touch of the switch, and the refrigerator hums, preserving food for days; computers connect typists to the world outside, the TV and radio reveal the latest developments in the political, social, religious, economic and scientific landscape. Industrial machines whir and churn out products that are intended to make life better for people.
You can imagine how much progress there will be when the rural areas are electrified. Electrifying the rural areas is a major concern of the government. That is why providing energy in remote far-flung barangays is essential to lift them from conditions of poverty.
This need has not escaped the attention of Mirant Philippines Corporation, which through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, Mirant Philippines Foundation, launched early last year the Barangay Electrification Assistance for Countryside Development (Project Beacon). The project, undertaken at a cost of over P1 billion, and considered to be the largest initiative undertaken by a private institution in the country, aims to provide energy to 1,026 remote barangays in the country. To date, 900 barangays have been electrified, with the remaining sitios to be completed by the early part of this year.
Once completed, Project Beacon will provide electricity to 33 provinces and 44 cooperatives covering some 300,000 households nationwide.
"Access to electricity is a prerequisite to progress. By helping provide power to remote areas in the country we hope to bring development of these places," he says.
A sub-component of Beacon is the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) which set up renewable energy facilities in 160 disadvantaged communities in the Mindanao area, particularly the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Greggy says that as the areas are too far to be connected to the main grid, they will rely on renewable energy sources such as solar power through facilities put up by Mirant. By providing electricity, Mirant can help spur the development of local economies that will create jobs and help government plant the seeds of development, he says.
Mirant Philippines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Mirant Corporation. It is the largest private producer of power in the country with a generating capacity of over 2,000 megawatts.
The sports event is more than just a fund-raising activity for the benefit of CPPDM. It is an attempt to help promote better relations and understanding between and among the local and international communities in the country in focusing attention towards the expeditious attainment of a lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.
Speaker Jose de Venecia will lead the participants during the tee-off ceremonies which starts at 7:30 a.m. Initial list of participants includes the ambassadors of Canada and Korea. Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity Alumni director Manolet Ocampo confirmed the participation of Lito Alfiler, Rico Agcaoili, Lito Berinia, Cesar Guerzon, Rudy Fernandez, Beta Sigma Fraternity alumni luminary Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino is leading the members of Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association in supporting more participation in the tournament; former Philippine National Bank president Archit Bartolome, Justice Silvestre Bello, and past president of Security Bank Peter Favila.
Prizes awaiting the winners of the tournament include airline tickets to Singapore and Hong Kong, appliances , and cute consumer goods. The partial list of donors includes Mirant Philippines Foundation, Asahi Glass Philippines, McDonalds Philippines, Philippine Air Lines, Clark Development Corporation, Base Conversion Development Authority, DHL, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Trillo Wines, Natasha, Confetti, Enchanted Kingdom, Cravings.
The tournament is open to anybody who plays golf and who wishes to help promote the peace and progress of Mindanao. Registration can be made by calling or sending a fax at 671-5273 or 631-1466. The tournament fee is only P2,000, which includes the green fee, caddy fee and lunch.