Bislig's state university campus is taking its engineering know-how outside the classroom, and the students it has in mind are not college kids. They are solo parents and fathers enrolled in a city parenting program.
The project is called Project ILAW, short for "Inclusive Learning for Alternative Work in Solar Technology." It is an extension project of the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) Bislig Campus, run in partnership with the City Government of Bislig.
What the council approved
At its 37th regular session on March 31, 2026, the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted Resolution No. 2026-282. It authorizes Mayor Florencio C. Garay to sign a memorandum of agreement with NEMSU-Bislig for the project, "thereby providing technical training on Solar Energy Systems for solo parents and participants of the Empowered and Reaffirmed Paternal Abilities Training (ERPAT) Program in Bislig City."
The resolution was sponsored by Councilors Pedrito R. Sulapas, Bernadeth May R. Almanon-Balondo, Romeo F. Cacayan and Alfredo J. Carmelo, and Vice Mayor Conrad C. Cejoco.
What participants learn
According to the resolution, Project ILAW aims "to equip participants with knowledge and skills in solar energy systems through lectures, hands-on training, and workshops." It lists three activities, all to be facilitated by qualified NEMSU faculty:
- a lecture on solar energy
- hands-on training on solar street light maintenance
- a workshop on DIY solar lamp and charger fabrication
The city's stated goal is "to promote renewable energy awareness and enhance the economic capacity of its residents." The "alternative work" in the project's name points to the same idea: practical skills that could become a source of income.
Who the participants are
The project targets two groups.
Solo parents are covered by Republic Act No. 8972, the Solo Parents' Welfare Act, as expanded by Republic Act No. 11861 in 2022. The law entitles qualified solo parents to livelihood and skills programs, among other benefits, typically coordinated through the city social welfare office.
ERPAT is a parenting program for fathers run by local social welfare offices under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It focuses on helping fathers take a more active role in raising their children. Project ILAW adds a technical, income-related skill on top of those sessions.
Why solar street lights
The choice of topic is practical. Solar street lights are now common along barangay roads and puroks, and they need regular upkeep: batteries wear out, panels get dirty and controllers fail. A person who can diagnose and repair them has a useful local skill. Small solar lamps and phone chargers are also handy during brownouts and after storms, which Bislig, on Mindanao's Pacific coast, sees often.
What we don't know yet
The resolution authorizes the partnership but does not state the number of slots, the training dates, or the venue. Bislig Today has not found a public report on how many residents have completed the training since the agreement was approved. Solo parents and ERPAT participants interested in joining should ask the City Social Welfare and Development Office or the NEMSU-Bislig Campus extension office.
Project ILAW is one of several partnerships between the city and the university this year, alongside the Landsafe land-use pilot. For background on the campus itself, see our piece on NEMSU-Bislig's history.
Source: Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bislig Resolution No. 2026-282, adopted March 31, 2026, posted on the City Government of Bislig website.