TALAINGOD, Davao del Norte -The Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA project in this municipality has constructed four units of solar-led streetlights and 24 units of solar home lightings for the residents of Barangay Sto. Niño.

Antonio Villanueva, community sub-project management committee (CSPMC) chair, said the lighting sub-project will help the village in allaying the fears of its residents.

“Kining among napili nga project gumikan kay kana among lugar diha sa Upper Nanaga, hilit gani (We chose this sub-project because our place in Upper Nanaga is very remote),” he said, pointing out that just recently there was even a ‘pangayaw,’ a traditional war of vengeance.

‘Pangayaw’ has become a big problem for the people in the community.

“Kasagaran sa mga trahedya sa mga lumad, kining pangayaw. Kung naa’y makasala sa ilang paryente, mopataka lang og patay. Tanan makit-an patyon (The usual tragedy for the lumads happens during pangayaw. The aggrieved party will not stop seeking revenge until they kill somebody. Anyone who crosses their path will also be killed),” Roger Son, Bids and Awards Committee chair, said.

The P360,075-sub-project, the villagers added, will not only provide light to the villagers but will deter crimes, too.

“Tungod sa kangitngit, daghan ang kawat. Dili pud namo makita kung kinsa ang mangagi tunga sa kagabhion (Burglary and theft are usually committed as it used to be very dark at night. We also could not see those people who pass by our village in the middle of the night),” Perla Villanueva, Audit and Inventory Committee chairman, said.

“Naay mga tao nga moagi nga dili namo ma-ilhan (People we do not know also pass by the village),” she said.

“Karon nga naa na’y solar, mawala gyud ang kagubot kay maalanganin na sila moduol kay hayag na man (Now that we have solar panels, we can now prevent crimes from happening. People with ill intentions will be hesitant to go near us since our surroundings are now well-lighted),” Villanueva added.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is a community-driven development (CDD) project of the Philippine Government that aims to empower communities through their enhanced participation in local governance and poverty alleviation projects.

PAMANA or PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn is a KALAHI-CIDSS modality that aims to improve access of conflict-affected barangays (CABs) to quality basic social services and responsive, transparent and accountable local governments. DSWD