Lighting of Sipaway

Six to 11 in the evening. The time of day people await with longing. For the many that spend most of the day huddled on their office desks or who face the searing heat of the sun for minimum wage, this is the time of liberation. A time of reprieve from the slavery of work, of putting one’s feet up, of eating a soothing dinner with family.

But for the people of Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, six to 11 in the evening signals a different kind of yearning. It is during this time that the whole island literally lights up. Everyday Sipaway’s electric generator is turned on at around six up to 11 in the evening. A time when life is breathed into Sipawan.

Located just two kilometers outside of San Carlos City, Sipaway’s 600 residents are hungry for the convenience and advantages electricity brings. So, Sipaway National High School principal Mr. Edgardo Palagtiosa was stunned when WVCST iSchools Project Manager Engr. Roly Gambol called last August. Mr. Palagtiosa, assigned at Sipaway for less than a year could not believe what he was hearing. Engr. Gambol requested an initial site visit schedule to see if Sipaway can qualify as an iSchools Program recipient.

On August 11., Mr. Palagtiosa never wavered despite their electricity problem. He first talked to the baranggay captain, requesting the use of the generator during daytime. But since the proposed installation of the computers requires 24 hours of electrical power, Engr. Gambol still hesitated to award the project to Sipaway.

Undaunted, Mr. Palagtiosa, on the advice of Engr. Gambol, went to the city mayor, and asked for a generator specifically for the use of the school. “We are visiting the school two weeks from now to inspect the generator before giving our formal endorsement that they are now recipients of the iSchools Program,” Engr. Gambol says. Mr. Palagtiosa’s efforts paid off. The mayor answered the prayers of Sipaway National High School. All the Sipaway folks have to do is to wait for the installation of the 20 computers from the Commission on Information and Communications Technology.

Although the computer still needs to be delivered, a different kind of anticipation blankets the island. They are at present very sure that their tie to the world through the internet has been realized.

Now, the 600 residents of Sipaway Island have something else to look forward to. And, this will not be from 6 to 11 in the evening anymore. Now the bubble of excitement will not only stir from 6 to 11 in the evening. The thrill and enthusiasm will come from the beckoning radiance of Sipaway National High School’s electronic link to the world.