In its humanitarian drive, Panasonic Corp. donates 2,550 solar lanterns to ten humanitarian and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country from a global company based in Japan. The ceremony was held at Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp. (PMPC). The donation is part of Panasonic’s global “100,000 Solar Lanterns Project.”
Over 92,000 lanterns have been donated through 131 humanitarian organizations in 30 countries since its debut in 2012. This is the fifth year of donation drive with a total of 12,264 solar lanterns. To date, the target remains 100,000 units of the compact lighting devices to areas in emerging and developing countries with limited electricity access by 2018, the company’s 100th anniversary.
In the Philippines the beneficiaries were the Center for Excellence in Special Education (Stepping Stone) Foundation Inc., Conrado and LadislawaAlcantara Foundation Inc., Davao Medical School Foundation Inc.-Institute of Primary Health Care, Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood Inc., Jesus V. Del Rosario Foundation Inc., Josefa Segovia Foundation Inc., Konkokyo Peace Activity Center Information Office Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., and Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (National Confederation of Small Farmers’ and Fishers’ Organization).
The event was honored by Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau Director Felino Castro V, PMPC President Shinichi Hayashi and PC-CSR and Citizenship Group Program Management Section Leader Haruhisa Okuda. Other members of PMPC management include Executive Director Masaru Toyota, Executive Director Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Assistant Director Marlon Molano, Assistant Director Robert Pacheco, Refrigerator Business Division Head Angelo Tamayo and Air Conditioner Business Division Head Harry Sarmiento.
In this event, PMPC President Shinichi Hayashi said, “The donation marks the fifth of such efforts in the Philippines, which is one of the clear manifestations of Panasonic commitment to serve society and help improve the lives of people along with the aspiration of having a world where no one will be left behind and in pursuing ‘A Better Life, A Better World.’ Since the time the project was introduced in the Philippines, we continue to receive positive feedbacks and testimonies that serve as inspiration for us to strive for more, exerting our best effort to carry out our responsibilities as corporate citizens.”
Also present on this occasion, Citizenship Group Program Management Section Leader Haruhisa Okuda said, “We are glad that our Solar Lanterns Project is really serving its purpose, with reports that with the solar lanterns donated by Panasonic, teachers and schoolchildren without access to electricity are now conducting tutorial lessons, meetings, making lesson plans and instructional materials even beyond class hours. Likewise, teachers are delighted that the solar lanterns allow them to carry on with their classes even when the weather is gloomy.”
According to the United Nations, “Panasonic hopes its solar lanterns will provide a better life, a better world for the people of the Philippines and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Global Project aims to improve electrification needs such as: access to education, health care and business opportunities through the use of the company’s technology and products. Each donated solar lantern is attached to a solar panel. The usage of renewable solar energy product not only mitigates social challenges, but also contributes to carbon-dioxide emission reduction.