All-Lights Village Project begins in Sitio 21, Barangay Tuanadatu
Maitum, Sarangani — In a remote community in Maitum, Sarangani, access to basic services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities remains a daily challenge for families living far from the barangay proper.
Located in Sitio 21, Barangay Tuanadatu, the community is approximately an hour away from the barangay center. Its geographic isolation has made access to essential services and development opportunities more difficult for its residents.
Recognizing the needs of underserved and geographically remote communities, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines, with the support of Bless Microfinance Corporation (BMC) and in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 12 and the local government, is bringing the All-Lights Village (ALV) Project to Sitio 21.
The initiative will benefit 100 households, including 28 families who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and 72 non-4Ps households. The community also has a documented presence of Indigenous Peoples, particularly members of the Tboli and Manobo/Manuvu communities. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Indigenous Peoples identified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples made up 9.1 percent of the Philippine household population in 2020. For communities such as the Tboli and Manobo/Manuvu families in Sitio 21, locally responsive development is not only about service delivery; it is also about recognizing dignity, culture, and the right of every community to participate in a more inclusive future.
Through the partnership, the All-Lights Village Project aims to provide sustainable lighting solutions that can contribute to improved safety, education, livelihood activities, and overall community well-being.
All-Lights Village Project begins in Sitio 21, Barangay Tuanadatu
For families living in Sitio 21, daily life is closely tied to agriculture. Most residents depend on farming and the cultivation of crops such as abaca, banana, sweet potato (kamote), and vegetables as their primary sources of livelihood. However, the community’s distance from the barangay proper presents additional challenges in accessing services, markets, and other opportunities.
The support of Bless Microfinance Corporation plays an important role in making the initiative possible. Through its partnership with GPF Philippines, BMC continues to support efforts that bring sustainable and practical solutions to underserved Filipino communities, particularly families in geographically isolated areas.
The project is also strengthened through collaboration with the DSWD and the local government, ensuring that the initiative is aligned with existing community development efforts and reaches families who need support the most. This multi-sector partnership reflects the importance of bringing together civil society organizations, the private sector, national government agencies, and local government units to address the needs of vulnerable and underserved communities.
Beyond providing light, the All-Lights Village Project seeks to create opportunities for families and children. Reliable lighting can allow students to study after sunset, help families safely carry out activities in the evening, and provide residents with additional time for livelihood and household activities.
All-Lights Village Project begins in Sitio 21, Barangay Tuanadatu
For Indigenous Peoples and other families living in remote communities like Sitio 21, access to basic infrastructure is an important step toward greater inclusion and sustainable development.
The initiative reflects Global Peace Foundation Philippines’ commitment to empowering Filipino communities toward sustainability and peace. Through partnerships with organizations such as Bless Microfinance Corporation, DSWD, and local government units, GPF Philippines continues to bring development initiatives closer to communities that are often among the hardest to reach.
In Sitio 21, the partnership goes beyond bringing light into homes. It represents a shared commitment to building safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable communities—where every family has the opportunity to move toward a brighter future.
