The Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCIP) kicked off its 2013 Liter of Light Project in Davao City on December 29, 2012 at Barangay 21-C, Piapi.

The Liter of Light project began in 2011 when the JCIP, led by 2011 National President JCI Senator Bernard Dy, became a partner of the My Shelter Foundation headed by JCI Mem Iliac Diaz. In 2013, My Shelter Foundation and JCIP aim to implement the Liter of Light Project in at least 100 cities and 10,000 households in the Philippines. It is the hope of 2013 National Chairman JCI Member Anna Lim-Santiago that this will be done through the efforts of JCI local organizations (LOs) throughout the Philippines.

In 2012, with the presence of then Immediate Past National President JCI Sen Bernard Dy and 2012 National Executive Vice-President JCI Sen Christine Garcia, Liter of Light was launched in Barangay Aquino, Agdao, Davao City on April 27, 2012. In the same year, with JCI Mem Ria Jose of JCI Duwaling as National Chair, the project was implemented in Legazpi, Bulacan, Palawan, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Surigao City, Pagadian, Zamboanga, and Marilog District in Davao City.

In the same year, Liter of Light represented by JCI Sen Bernard Dy received the award for Most Oustanding National Flagship Project during the JCI Asia-Pacific Conference held in Hong Kong last June and the same award during the JCI World Congress held in Taiwan last November. Liter of Light bested some 100+ entries worldwide.

For 2013, the launch was held at Barangay 21-C on December 29, 2012. NC Anna Lim demonstrated the construction of the Liter of Light while now JCI World Vice-President JCI Sen Bernard Dy personally installed the Liter of Light in the house of a volunteer homeowner, Mr Marcelo Ely.

A Liter of Light is made using scrap or recycled materials such as PET bottles, scrap GI sheet, and some construction materials such as rubber sealant and rivets. Each Liter of Light will cost the homeowner around P50 with each Liter of Light installation lasting up to 5 years, giving off 55 watts of light. It has been reported that households using Liter of Light have saved as much as P400 in power charges.

Present during the Kick-Off Installation was 2012 NEVP and 2013 National Treasurer JCI Sen Christine Garcia. The kick off installation was hosted by JCI Duwaling led by 2013 President JCI Mem Irelan Abapo. Also present were JCIP Davao Regional Vice-President JCI Sen Don Cabanog, and Davao chapters JCI Greater Davao led by 2013 President JCI Mem Patrick Puentespina and JCI Kadayawan led by 2013 President JCI Mem Joy Prado.

After the Kick Off Installation, a Press Conference and Victory Luncheon was held at Lispher Inn. The panel was composed of JCI World Vice-President for Asia and the Pacific JCI Senator Bernard F. Dy, JCI Philippines 2013 National Treasurer JCI Senator Christine Garcia, and 2013 National Chairman JCI Mem Anna Lim-Santiago. The three shared the history, journey, triumph, and future plans for Liter of Light.

Also present during the Press Conference were JCI Davao Region LOs JCI Davao Inc led by 2013 President JCI Mem Ryan Pasion and JCI Durian City represented by 2011 President JCI Mem Don Lanzar.

The Press Conference was hosted by this blogger, JCI Member Ria Jose, 2012 National Chairman for Liter of Light.

In behalf of the 2012 JCI Philippines Liter of Light Team, I would like to thank the JCI LOs and members who implemented Liter of Light in 2012:

• JCI Legazpi Dawani,
• JCI Makati,
• JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock,
• JCI Boholana Kisses,
• JCI Western Visayas Region,
• JCI Aklan Kalantiao,
• JCI Cagayan de Oro Inc and JCI Bai Lawanen,
• JCI Iligan and JCI Duwaling,
• JCI Surigao Inc and JCI Surigao Wensie,
• JCI Greater Pagadian,
• JCI Zamboanga Inc,
• JCI Jambangan, and
• JCI Central Davao.

Many thanks also to friends from the media and the blogger communities who helped in igniting the light through their write ups! Special thanks to Mark Cabrera for creating some 2012 Liter of Light materials!

ABOUT JCI
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) is the leading global organization of young active citizens. JCI is membership-based nonprofit organization of 200,000 young people ages 18 to 40 in 5,000 communities and more than 100 countries around the world. The JCI Mission is “to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.”

In the Philippines, there are more than 140 chapters with 9 chapters based in Davao Region.

ABOUT JCI DUWALING
JCI Duwaling is a Davao-based all female chapter of the JCI. Duwaling is an amalgamation of Durian and Waling Waling, two of the most popular symbols of Davao. In 2013 the theme of JCI Duwaling is “WALING: Women Aspiring to Lead and Inspire for Nation-Building and Growth.” The 2013 JCI Duwaling President is JCI Member Irelan Abapo, an entrepreneur. The organization has more than 20 Dabawenya members composed of professionals and entrepreneurs. Their page is at http://www.facebook.com/JCIDuwaling.