QUEZON CITY -- The Movement of Ilocos Norte DOST Scholars or MINDS virtually launched recently a charity project named “PailaJuan”, a noble way of the science scholars of the Department of Science and Technology of paying it forward to marginalized communities in the province. 

The concept of the PailaJuan project was derived from Project Pasilaw by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IEEE) that was also centered in reaching out to communities to energize homes without access to power.

The project specifically aims to electrify remote areas and provide alternative power sources to places where it is quite impossible to put up electric lines. The science scholars initiated this project in April 2021 and pioneered its activities in the towns of Batac, Dingras, Bacarra, and Sarrat. 

The virtual launching ceremony was attended by DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, DOST-Science Education Institute Director Josette T. Biyo, DOST Region I Director Armando Q. Ganal, and DOST Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Racquel M. Espiritu. Others present to witness the momentous event were 

DOST-I Technical Scholarship Coordinator Adelisa C. Florendo, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) President Shirley Agrupis, Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative General Manager Felino Herbert Agdigos, City of Batac Mayor Albert Chua, Municipality of Dingras Mayor Joefrey Saguid, Municipality of Sarrat Mayor Remigio Medrano, Municipality of Bacarra Mayor Fritzie dela Cruz-Gapasin, Mr. Marju Sunga, Provincial S&T Director Benjamin S. Mercado, and MINDS President April Jieren R. Muska. 

“All the support needed by this project will be extended to your association for a more empowered DOST-SEI Patriot Scholars through Science and Technology,” de la Peña said in his speech. He also applauded the initiative of MINDS for being devoted to their goal despite the pandemic.

“The PailaJuan is truly commendable. It exemplifies DOST’s Science for the People mantra and demonstrates the scholars’ professional excellence, social responsibility, and servant leadership which are the Patriot Project Core Values.” Biyo said.

Moreover, MMSU president Agrupis commended the project as well as the people behind the project for giving light and hope to the beneficiaries who are underprivileged.

“The project aims to give light and hope for every Filipino who does not have access to electricity, as well as to promote a safe environment that is conducive for learning and working specially in this pandemic. This project also aims to inculcate the sense of volunteerism to the scholars for them to embody the core values of the DOST-SEI which are professional excellence, social responsibility and servant leadership,” added Muska. 

Lastly, the Mayors of the partner LGUS of the project also expressed their full support and gratitude to the project. As of the moment, the project is specifically targeting 40 homes within the pioneer municipalities. Believing that with this project, no one will be left behind in darkness. (AJDuyao, DOST 1-SEI Ongoing Scholar, RA 7687)