.By Anna Valmero
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA — Three bikers will tour the country for 19 days to distribute solar panels and power-efficient lamps in a bid to bring electricity to communities living off the grid.
The campaign brings Solar Energy Foundation board member and ambassador Philippe Saubier, Ibba Rasul Bernardo, founder of “Buhay Ko sa Smokey Mountain project,” and Antonio Villanueva, a four-time finisher of the BOSS Ironman competition and one of the top mechanics in the country.
The campaign is part of the global effort of nonprofit organization Stiftung Solarenergie that aims to bring attention to over 1.6 billion people in the world who live without electricity.
“Over 20 million in the Philippines live without electricity. No electricity means limited chance to proper in life so we advocate to bring access for basic services such as electricity.,” said Saubier, who considers himself a “white Filipino” after living in the country with his Filipina wife for two decades.
Aside from economic issues, the lack of electricity can cause fire accidents in the case of gas lamps while students would have less time to study in advance or do their school homework.
“Solar energy is very practical and abundant in the Philippines so it makes sense to tap it to bring light to more people over chemical batteries or kerosene lamps,” he added.
The group will distribute 100 solar panels for free to some 40 communities. They will be given to local cooperatives and non-government social partners who will sell provide households with solar-generated electricity at affordable prices to power their light emitting diode (LED) lamps that consume only 1.5 watts per hour.
To travel 6,600 kilometers around the country, the riders will be using their BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and BMW R 1200 GS bikes. Saubier said the motorbike is best suited for the rough dirt roads in provinces and can handle 200 to 300 kilometers of travel in a day.
