With the arrival of solar home system units to SOLARES partner electric cooperatives, SOCOTECO II celebrated this event on Monday morning through a ceremonial unloading and acceptance together with SOLARES implementers, Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) on April 19, 2021 at the SOCOTECO II Warehouse, Brgy. Apopong, General Santos City. Along with PEF, joining online were the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the Department of Energy (DOE), SOCOTECO II Board of Directors and staff, and Sino Soar Hybrid (Beijing) Technology Co,. Ltd. through Mr. Phoenix Zhang.
Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, president of Mahintana and project director of SOLARES, delivered the opening remarks by thanking European Union for the opportunity of implementing the project on renewable energy and sharing brief updates on the project and the active collaboration among multiple organizations for the SOLARES project. The Department of Energy gave their message of support through Mr. Marc Louie L. Olap, OIC, Rural Electrification Administration and Management Bureau; Ms. Alice de Guzman also expressed her support during the event. Mr. Zhang shared that it was a great honor to be participating in the event. He shared how from 2017, Sino Soar Hybrid (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. supplied the Philippines over 20,000 units and counting despite the difficulties faced during shipping amidst the pandemic. He hopes to continue contributing to bring more light to Mindanao and the whole country.
After the video presentation for the ceremonial unloading (as the units had arrived a few days before), SOCOTECO II through Mr. John Tindoy (SBU Coordinator) and Engr. Angelico Boiser (Area Engineer) facilitated the unboxing of the SHS package, showing functional components included in the box. In his message of acceptance, Mr. Geronimo D. Desesto, General Manager of SOCOTECO II recognized notable local and international dignitaries of the partnership in realizing SOLARES and their role of developing and supporting the renewable energy projects to remain relevant in the power sector.
Engr. Lowell Valiente (CPD), Mr. Fausto Tan, Jr., Mr. Magdolot, Mr. Desesto, Mr. Tubigon, and Ms. Liza D. Hora at the join inspection conducted by Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and SOCOTECO II.
Representing the Board of Directors of SOCOTECO II, vice president Fausto Y. Tan, Jr. delivered his message of acceptance, highlighting the impact of the SOLARES project to MAKIMA (Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum) areas in Sarangani. Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, project manager of SOLARES thanked the participation of different partners during the event and their contribution to the implementation of the SOLARES project. He also shared to the group the next steps: distribution and installation of the SHS units to Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat areas.