SOLAR LIGHT FOR MARAWI. Pepsi celebrity endorser Jasmine Curtis-Smith holds a solar 'gasera light' made for donation to the people of Marawi, the city ruined by the local Maute rebel group a year ago and is now being rebuilt by the government and other sectors. (Photo courtesy of PCPPI)
MANILA -- PepsiCo and Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), in partnership with MyShelter Foundation's Liter of Light, has donated 1,000 "gasera lights" to communities in Marawi City.
In May 2017, Maute Group terrorists brought violence to the city, killing innocent people, causing fears, burning houses and establishments.
PCPPI President Samudra Bhattacharya told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the weekend that apart from the MyShelter Foundation, more than 80 volunteers from Pepsi, Lyceum of Alabang, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have worked together in making the "gasera lights".
"These are solar light bottles made using Pepsi bottles. These can be installed inside the house or can be used as street lamps," Bhattacharya said. "It’s a simple circuit comprised of a solar panel connected to a battery, and the light bulb is attached to the Pepsi bottle. This attachment allows for the charging and storing of energy that powers the light to function at night, providing an additional 10 hours of light at night," Bhattacharya explained.
He added that the actual system can be further modified into portable lamps and street lights, which can provide illumination to wider areas.
PCPPI had also donated solar light bottles to typhoon Yolanda-affected areas, particularly in Barangay Sto. Nino and Barangay Sushi, Tacloban, according to Bhattacharya. A total of 135 house lights and 38 streetlights were donated in the said areas.
Bhattacharya remarked that these lights help make the people feel safe. "Aside from that, it helps uplift their spirits. This, we believe, is a step to rebuilding their lives," he noted.
Meanwhile, Bhattacharya told PNA that the 1,000 "gasera lights" were completely distributed in Marawi last week. The project started in September 2017.
"We are currently exploring other ways to provide support for the community," he said. (PNA)
