Jackery Philippines has donated portable power stations and solar panels to the local government units of Malapatan and Glan in Sarangani following the recent earthquake off Mindanao.
The donation was made in response to a call for assistance from the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, or PDRF, which coordinates private-sector support for disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and recovery efforts.
Emergency power for local responders
Officials from Malapatan and Glan received the equipment at the Malapatan Incident Command Post. The donated units are intended to provide an alternative source of electricity for emergency operations centers, temporary medical stations, communications equipment, and community charging hubs.
Local officials involved in the turnover had led their respective Incident Command Systems during the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and Typhoon Inday. The equipment can be deployed where conventional electricity is unavailable or where emergency teams need portable power closer to affected communities.
“Having power is very important for our rescue team so we can stay connected, especially during emergencies, so we are very thankful to Jackery and PDRF for this big donation,” said Mark Christopher Quiño, incident commander for the LGU of Malapatan, Sarangani. “This will really help our team serve the people of Malapatan, Sarangani better.”
Supporting rescue and recovery operations
Earthquakes and severe weather can damage electrical infrastructure and interrupt communications when coordination is most important. Power outages can make it more difficult for responders to organize rescue teams, operate equipment, and keep residents informed.
Portable power stations can be moved among response locations and used without the fuel storage and transport requirements of conventional gasoline generators. Solar panels can also provide a way to recharge the units when grid electricity remains unavailable for an extended period.
Jackery said the donation is intended to support immediate rescue and recovery work while strengthening the municipalities’ preparedness for future emergencies.
“At the heart of Jackery is a simple promise: to champion a ‘Life Uninterrupted’ for Filipinos,” said Igue Bonifacio, marketing and emerging businesses head of Cognetics Inc., the official Philippine distributor of Jackery.
“When the PDRF reached out about the situation in Sarangani, there was no hesitation from our end,” Bonifacio added. “With this donation, we wanted to ensure the community has the dependable power they need while rescue and recovery efforts are underway.”
Building local disaster preparedness
The collaboration between Jackery and PDRF demonstrates how portable energy systems can complement humanitarian assistance and local disaster-management programs.
Beyond their immediate use following the earthquake, the donated power stations and solar panels can help Malapatan and Glan prepare for future grid interruptions. They can be positioned at command posts, evacuation areas, medical facilities, and other locations where access to electricity is essential during an emergency.