####### *May 14-19, 2005*![](media/image1.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}

**"USAID/Philippines does not vouch for the accuracy or the opinions of
the articles provided in this press clipping service and assume no
responsibility for their content.  Please contact USAID/Philippines at
<webmaster@usaid-ph.gov> if you have any questions about USAID programs
and projects."**

**[STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #3]{.underline}**

[(Desired family size and improved health sustainably
achieved)]{.underline}

![](media/image2.png){width="6.083333333333333in"
height="2.7916666666666665in"}**(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/18/05, page
Metro 4)**

![](media/image3.png){width="2.9763888888888888in"
height="3.0527777777777776in"}

**(Source: The Manila Times, 5/19/05, page C6)**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="5.052083333333333in"
height="3.7395833333333335in"}

> **(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/19/05, page F4)**

**[STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #4]{.underline}**

[(Management of Productive, Life-Sustaining Natural
Resources]{.underline} [Strengthened)]{.underline}

**[Solar power lights up 3 remote villages in war-torn
town]{.underline}**

Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews

(WITH PHOTOS)

**(Source: MindaNews Online -- 5/17/05)**

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao (MindaNews / 17 May) -- Residents in at least
three remote villages of this conflict-affected and impoverished
municipality now have reasons to smile even at the dead of the night.

Used to darkness for several decades, electricity came to the barangays
of Linandangan, Bagoinged and Kilangan in a solar fashion expected to
change the lives of the residents for the better.

Aside from hearing the grins, children can now also see each other\'s
smiles, or sneers, even under the moonless, starless night of playful
indulgence. \"This is the first time that we had electricity. We are
very thankful for this project. It gives us and our children reasons to
hope for a bright future,\" said Suod Matalam, village chief of
Linandangan.

Linandangan is a far-flung farming community accessible only through
rugged and muddy roads stretching to at least five kilometers from the
national highway.

\"The children will no longer burn their brows studying their lessons
using kerosene lamps at night time,\" he added, pointing to fluorescent
lights powered by solar energy dotting the houses of his 30
constituents.

Like Linandangan, 30 households each in Bagoinged and Kilangan have
availed of the electricity project carried out by the Alliance for
Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) program.

Last Monday, AMORE personnel and municipal officials formally switched a
solar panel in Barangay Linandangan that signals a new episode in the
lives of residents in the three villages.

AMORE, a United States Agency for International Development
(USAID)-funded program, carried out the electrification project with
Mirant Philippines, the country\'s largest energy-producer, according to
an AMORE briefing paper.

Mirant Philippines would shoulder the cost of each solar panel system,
which cost P26,000, said Cecile Rodriguez, AMORE\'s information and
education coordinator.

Rodriguez said that the program, now on its second phase, aimed to light
up 200 communities in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao in the next
five years.

Some 142 barangays in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Davao City,
Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, Zambonga Sibugay and Zamboanga City were
lighted during the program\'s first phase that ended last year, AMORE\'s
fact sheet said.

The USAID has allotted \$50 million for AMORE\'s operation in the next
five years, Rodriguez said

Monthly, each beneficiary would pay P300 that will go to the bank
account put up by the residents for the solar panels\' maintenance or
rehabilitation, she said.

Pagalungan Vice Mayor Norodin Matalam, the town\'s acting mayor, said
the electrification program in the locality would connect his
constituents to the outside world. \"They can now watch television and
listen to the radio,\" the mayor said.

Matalam, also a former mayor of the town and governor of Maguindanao,
said the project would help government slow down its growing population.
\"Unlike before when darkness falls, almost everyone right away go to
sleep. But with electricity now, lots of activities can be taken during
the night.\"

\"With the lights on for late night activities by household members, it
may taper off the sexual urges of the parents,\" he said.

For this predominantly Moro town, where a household has an average of
five children, Matalam said he hoped to see an improved constituency
with the electricity brought by the solar panels.

He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the solar panels so that
it will last long. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

![](media/image5.png){width="5.995833333333334in"
height="4.615972222222222in"}

**(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/18/05, page H4)**

> ![](media/image6.jpeg){width="5.610416666666667in"
> height="4.3590277777777775in"}
>
> **(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/19/05, page F4)**

**STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #12 (SO12)**

[(Conflict Reduced in Mindanao and Other Areas Vulnerable to
Violence)]{.underline}

![](media/image7.png){width="4.65625in" height="5.1875in"}

**(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/14/05, page H4)**

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="3.3854166666666665in"
height="2.5520833333333335in"}

**(Source: The Daily Tribune, 5/15/05, page 10)**

![](media/image9.png){width="5.995833333333334in"
height="3.5076388888888888in"}

**(Source: Manila Standard Today, 5/16/05, page A3)**

![](media/image10.png){width="4.543055555555555in"
height="3.2916666666666665in"}

**(Source: Philippine Star, 5/17/05, page B4)**

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="3.4895833333333335in"
height="3.8131944444444446in"}

**(Source: Philippine Star, 5/17/05, page B4)**

![](media/image12.png){width="5.64375in" height="4.157638888888889in"}

**(Source: Manila Bulletin, 5/17/05, page G4)**

![](media/image13.png){width="4.215972222222222in"
height="3.6118055555555557in"}

**(Source: The Daily Tribune, 5/17/05, page 9)**

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="5.997222222222222in"
height="3.9055555555555554in"}

**(Manila Bulletin, 5/18/05, page H4)**