SOLARES visits Maitum, Sarangani for Social Marketing Coordination/Provision of Sanitation Supplies

(Upper right) Coordination Meeting: Mr. Ruben Balanag; Maitum Municipal Administrator, Mr. Roel Albellar, KPS-SEED Branch Manager and Engr. Tayactac | (Counter-clockwise) Distribution of sprayers and other supplies: Engr. Amanoddin with Mr. Joel Acas of KPS-SEED; Engr. Tayactac with Mr. Nicholson Tagum from KIMEMCO; Mr. Rodolfo Dela Torre, Jr., General Manager of Sta. Cruz MPC with Engr. Amanoddin

On Wednesday, June 17 SOLARES project staff Engr. Jose Jerry Tayactac and Engr. Mohammad Alver Amanoddin visited Maitum for a coordination meeting with KPS-SEED Microfinance, Inc. regarding the upcoming SOLARES project activities in the area. Engrs. Tayactac and Amanoddin also coordinated with LGU Maitum for social marketing activities with Mr. Ruben Balanag, Municipal Administrator. As Sarangani is under Moderate General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), Mr. Balanag permitted the team for the 1-week conduct of Social Marketing provided that safety protocols will be observed and necessary documents will be secured by the team.

      During the visit, project staff also distributed a total of 3 sprayers, 3 disinfectants, 300 reusable masks to project partners in the livelihood component of SOLARES. Sta. Cruz Multipurpose Cooperative, KPS-SEED Microfinance, Inc., and Kiamba Micro Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative each received 1 sprayer and disinfectant and 100 washable masks.

Accounting for Non-Accountants: Financial System Installation Workshop

Keytodac Coffee Growers Association (KCGA) and Kalamansig Farmers Agricultural Development and Marketing Association (KFADMA) participated in the Financial System Installation Workshop conducted through the SOLARES project. Ms. Phoebe Montefalcon, CPA assisted by Ms. Donna Funticha both from the PP Montefalcon Accounting Service shared their expertise to the associations in terms of improving their financial documentation in the 2-day workshop last February 27-28, 2020 at the Q Citi Park Hotel, General Santos City.

Sessions consisted of lectures, exercises, and workshop. Ms. Montefalcon discussed introduction of accounting, accounting elements, books of accounts, and the accounting cycle. The participants filed out sample source documents and posted in book of accounts. The participants prepared a trial balance, worksheet and financial statement. Ms. Montefalcon and Ms. Funticha assisted and assessed their outputs and offered guidance in the preparation.

Regardless of their educational attainment and work experience, participants shared the ease of learning because of how the workshop was packaged specific to operations of their associations, and examples of application in their context.

Mr. Stefan Babera from Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) facilitated the workshop. Mr. Jobe Tubigon, SOLARES project manager, provided insight in his opening remarks on the need for and advantages of proper financial documentation. Ms. Shunie Palacios (PEF) provided clarification and assistance to the associations and thanked both resource speakers and participants to a successful workshop.

People in Need Philippines (PIN) Benchmarks SOLARES & ASEP-PVM Window 1 Projects

As one of the seven (7) awardees &/or implementers of EU ASEP-CfP, the People in Need Philippines (PIN), together with its partner Entrepreneurs du Monde, benchmarked SOLARES & ASEP-PVM Window 1 projects (under SOCOTECO II) on 3 February 2020 for a learning exchanges on project operations, financial and procurement, especially approaches to off-grid lighting solutions and livelihood support (RE or agri-based).

Upon coordination with SOCOTECO II, PVM-W1 Site Sitio New Antique was the area being visited. Along with 4 other colleagues, Mr. Diosdado Mendoza, PIN Project Manager, visited and interviewed several beneficiaries of the Window 1 PVM Site. SOCOTECO II and SOLARES project team assisted the PIN team to the site.

Ms. Khristin Hunter, Mr. Karol Skalowski, and Mr. Mendoza took turns interviewing the residents of New Antique regarding their experience with the Solar Home System (SHS) Units of the Window 1 PVM. A few residents welcomed the team into their home and shared about using the unit for 2 years. They were thankful and noticed how they could use power for 24 hours compared to using kerosene, and mentioned their children could study and do homework in the evening. New Antique sitio leader also shared the differences in experiences and preferences of residents. She herself used personal solar equipment for power like others; she did not answer on behalf of the community, instead recognized it was up to the residents whether they wanted to avail. She added if there were another project that would open to avail SHS units, she is positive there would some who would request to be included.

The PIN team went around the sitio before proceeding to another venue for a brief exchange of experience over coffee and snacks. Ms. Hunter and Mr. Skalowski gave their questions to SOCOTECO II, Mr. John Tindoy and Mr. Angelico Boiser. Their queries revolved around the system and process used by SOCOTECO II other queries related to their line of work and experience.

For the livelihood component of the project, Mr. Mendoza, Ms. Hunter, and Mr. Skalowski openly asked regarding the arrangement between the project and Peace and Equity Foundation from Mr. Stefan Babera, PEF project officer. Mr. Babera shared the process of how PEF assisted microfinance institutions, people organizations, and associations included in SOLARES.

The exchange continued at General Santos City wherein Mr. Jobe Tubigon, SOLARES project manager properly introduced the SOLARES project to PIN, along with Mr. Martiniano Magdolot, project director, and Ms. Liza Hora, admin and finance officer. The PIN team was able to expand their queries on specifics on the project, such as database, process of data collection, electric coops participation, sustainability, co-financing, beneficiaries, and updates on SOLARES.

The PIN team expressed their gratitude towards SOLARES project staff and Mahintana Foundation, Inc., for the learning experience and prompt, useful advice for their approach to the REACH project.

Other than their visit with the SOLARES & SOCOTECO II Projects, PIN is set to visit DASURECO's franchise areas in Brgy. Baluntaya, Don Marcelino and Brgy. Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental for the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) technologies.