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The Tayo Na Pakil community development program has provided support to women entrepreneurs such as the Tanglaw Women of Pakil, helping them establish a micro-enterprise that not only equipped them with skills in candle-making but also in starting a business venture.

Three years after its launch, the Tayo Na Pakil community development program of Ahunan Power Inc. continues to bring positive impact to Pakileños through initiatives focused on education, skills development, livelihood, health and wellness, culture, and community resilience.

Ahunan Power is a renewable energy company under Prime Infra and the developer of a large-scale pumped storage project in Pakil, Laguna. It collaborates closely with Prime Infra’s corporate social arm, Prime Infra Foundation, for the implementation of Tayo Na Pakil.

“We have always sought to create a socially inclusive environment for our host communities, and we are proud to do so through the Tayo Na Pakil program. The program is designed to respond to the needs of Pakileños, offering a diverse range of initiatives that address various aspects of community life — from education to livelihood,” the company said.

“The strong support of our provincial stakeholders has been vital to ensuring the program’s effective implementation and to reinforcing our community engagement efforts. With this partnership, we are confident in helping shape a brighter and more sustainable future for Pakil,” it added.

To date, the program has provided and continues to implement a wide range of social initiatives that benefit multiple sectors across Pakil. So far, these include health and resilience assistance to more than 3,000 community members; sponsoring 60 scholars of technical-vocational education; conducting school-based programs for over 7,000 students; and extending support to nearly 100 trainees of livelihood and start-up capital programs.

Residents affected by the heavy rains last July also received assistance and support through the Tayo Na Pakil program’s relief efforts, including feeding program, distribution of relief packs, and provision of medicines.

Leah Mendiola, a teacher at Pakil Senior High School, earlier expressed gratitude to Ahunan Power and Prime Infra Foundation for the program’s initiatives that resulted to improvements within the school. This include the provision of a canteen and repairs in their ICT room, which have greatly benefited the students.

She also cited youth programs that help expound the students’ awareness on topics important for the community, such as climate change adaptation.

“Lagi niyong isinasaalang-alang ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan sa pagbibigay ng Youth Leadership Program sa aming mag-aaral, pati ang kaalaman tungkol sa climate change and adaptation, ay naging malaking bahagi para sa ikakaunlad ng mga mag-aaral,” Mendiola said.

The initiatives under the Tayo Na Pakil program align with 13 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in pursuit of quality education, good health and well-being, economic growth, and addressing poverty for the community.

One of the program’s flagship initiatives, PAKILight, empowers women entrepreneurs through training in candle and paper bag production. Beyond product creation, the program equips participants with the knowledge and tools to develop sustainable business models. In 2022, over 70 women completed the training, leading to the establishment of Tanglaw Women of Pakil, a micro-enterprise now serving as a source of livelihood and pride for the community.

“Maraming salamat sa binigay ninyong pagkakataon, at kaming mga nanay, ay natuunan niyo pa rin kami ng pansin at naturuan upang makatulong kami sa aming mga pamilya,” said Lea Carizo, a participant of the PAKILight training. 

Another key initiative, PAKILigtas Disaster Management Program, is an intervention aimed to strengthen disaster preparedness among community members. The trainings target schools and households which focused discussion on climate change, basic emergency response and preparedness, and distribution of Go Bags that contain essential supplies.

Other projects implemented include medical missions, school-based feeding programs, eye wellness program for children and senior citizens, trainings on financial management, waste management programs such as seminars on Bokashi composting technical-vocational trainings in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) specifically on welding and operating heavy equipment, yearly participation in Brigada Eskwela with partner schools, and cleanup drives through community volunteers.

Ahunan and Prime Infra Foundation launched the Tayo Na Pakil program in 2022, adopting a community-centered approach to help Pakil residents achieve inclusive economic growth.

Living up to its name, Tayo Na Pakil looks ahead with optimism for the municipality’s future. In synergy with Ahunan’s 1,400MW pumped storage power project in Pakil, the program supports long-term aspirations for enhanced energy security and sustainable growth.