Energy Development Corporation (EDC) turned over a check donation amounting to P277,940 to its two partner barangays in Valencia, Negros Oriental for the installation of WiFi infrastructure that will expand the country’s first off-grid e-community project.
Barangays Malaunay and Caidiocan received P138,970 each that will be utilized to install structures for internet connectivity services in the communities. Present during the ceremonial check turnover and DOD signing for the e-community project were EDC Negros CSR head Norreen Bautista and community partner Rafael Duhaylungsod, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. (NOCCI) representatives Edward Du, Dodong Yap and Engr. Joemar Sayre, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Negros Oriental provincial director Engr. Aurelio Tinapay and local government officials.
“We at EDC are very grateful for the collaborative efforts of our partners to elevate the communities in Valencia by providing them with free WiFi internet access under our banner e-community project. We believe that this will enable the residents of our host communities to harness the enormous potential and benefits of having consistent internet connectivity to improve their education and livelihood and assist them in bringing the community towards progress,” Bautista said.
The strong synergy of EDC’s partners made the e-community initiative possible. While EDC donated funds for the cost of labor and the purchase of materials and equipment for the structures, partner organizations were in charge of complementary activities.
Bautista noted that EDC aims to make remote areas like Malaunay and Caidiocan resilient and self-reliant through the project.
“Through this initiative, we hope to ensure the adaptability of the partner communities and create a positive impact on our stakeholders,” she said.
Currently, EDC supports three e-communities in Valencia, including its pilot area in Brgy. Puhagan where it held a ceremonial switch-on with the NOCCI, DICT and the local government units last October. It was the first off-grid village in the country to have free public WiFi. (Story/Photos by: Frances Ariola)