A photovoltaic electrification project in an area heavily affected by a volcanic eruption has been successfully carried out within the framework of Czech Republic Development Cooperation. Through its partner organization, Project Liwanag, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila has implemented the project in Zambales province. „Liwanag“ is a Tagalog word for „light“.

The goal of the project was reducing dependence on kerosene and other combustibles burning to produce light, and providing electric lighting especially for the benefit of the children who will be able to learn to read and study during long tropical nights. Reducing of dependence on kerosene minimizes the risk of fire accidents in this area where the prevalent building materials are bamboo and leaves. Within the project, a photovoltaic station with batery storage was built, and mobile lighting pylons erected, as well as necessary wiring in a large part of the village in a hardly accessible mountainous region inhabited by the indigenous Aeta people.

Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Dalibor Mička, and Head of Adminisrtration, Mr. Evžen Krameš, carried out a monitoring mission and visited the project location. Having met local elders and leaders, the location and operability of the photovoltaic station was presented, underlined by a bright light illuminating the night in the until recently dark village. After prayers and invocation of gods, a ritual for success and long operation of the station was performed, during which the photovoltaic station was sprinkled by blood of a chicken whose throat was slit a moment before, and the grateful people thanked the Czech Republic for a revolutionary change of their lives. Light brings along not only practical improvement of life to the Aeta people, but it also empowers them mentally by reminding them that they had not been forgotten. The Czech Republic Development Cooperation has, thus, once again shown its meaningful and positive impact on the people living in a hardly accessible area where assistence of local government cannot reach in a more frequent and robust way.