REPORT

Dy, Charlton Paul

INTRODUCTION
Just like any regular class, we had an orientation as our first meeting in Civic Welfare
Training Service Program (CWTS) EEE. Here, the course was introduced and photographs of
past projects were shown to us to give us a better grasp on what is to be done for the whole
year. We also knew from this orientation that the program will be broken up into two parts, first
the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Common Module and the latter, the project
construction and execution.
NSTP COMMON MODULE
The NSTP Common Module was composed of different lectures aimed to help us build
a better foundation to helping the community effectively. Other NSTP classes also take this
class. There were lectures that focused on personal growth, citizenship and nationalism, the
culture of the Philippines, human rights, gender awareness and sensitivity, advocacies for the
environment, disaster risk reduction and management, and community service. These symposia
prepared us for our community service for the CWTS 2 - EEE program wherein we will go to
different communities where we will install solar powered lighting. The lectures delved deeply
into different areas that made us understand and realize what is really happening to the
environment, to the community and to the entire country.
CLASS DISCUSSIONS
After the NSTP Common Module was finished, the professor then taught us some basic
motor concepts that are deemed to be important as we proceed to the community project
afterwards. Basic configurations on how motors and relays work were demonstrated and a
practical test regarding these was then conducted.
Guided by the basic motor lessons, we created a prototype of a Stirling engine, a heat
engine that works through a cyclic expansion and compression of air that could light up a small
light bulb. We used the following in the making of the prototype: cans of soda, wires, steel wool,
candle, a pipe, balloon, and compact disks. The candle will act as the source of heat. As the
heat is generated, it will compress the air inside the can that would rotate the disk. Then, the
process will become a cycle of compression and expansion of air inside the can. The project
proved to full of potential as it uses recyclable materials and can help bring down costs on
electricity usage. Due to lack of experience and technical errors, we were not able to create an
ideal one. Unfortunately, all the groups prototype failed to function properly on the date of
submission.

VOLUNTEER WORK
During this period, numerous calamities hit the country. Typhoon Yolanda, the Habagat
and the earthquake that happened in Bicol are some of the tragedies that were given much
attention not only by the country but also by other parts of the world.
We, together with students from other NSTP classes joined hands on a volunteering
work (relief operations) lead by the UP ROTC for the victims of the Habagat that devastated
some parts of the country last August 2013. The students were given different tasks to
accomplish one common goal. Our group then donated a box of water, box of sardines and
used clothes. After the registration, we helped in the sorting of relief goods and in transporting
the goods to the trucks and vehicles.
Moreover, last November 2013, the Philippines was struck by Typhoon Yolanda and,
collectively, we decided to show support to the relief operation in any way possible. A short-term
goal was to join a shift in any repacking center, while the long-term goal was to provide solar
powered lamps to the affected areas. The class was able to provide canned goods and bottled
water, which were then given to GMA Kapuso Foundation. The class also decided to join a shift
of repacking for the said foundation.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
In the Philippines, there are still few communities that do not have access to electricity
for lighting up their homes. Amongst them are far flung areas where gas lamps are commonly
used to serve as their guide at night. Part of the goals of the CWTS 2 - EEE course is to help
and assist these communities to have their very own solar powered lighting. This project does
not only aim to give solar powered lighting to communities, but it also aims to make people
aware of the existence of renewable energy resources especially now with the country
experiencing problems in supplies of electricity.
The class was divided into 5 groups. These groups were then tasked to create their own
solar panel charge controllers, which will be a part of the overall set-up of the solar powered
lighting. The charge controller is an important part of the whole set up as it regulates the flow of
electricity being taken from the panel to the battery. Without this, the battery will definitely suffer
from overcharging and will make the whole project inefficient, as batteries are a bit expensive.

Circuit of the charge controller.

All the members of our group have contributed in buying the materials. The total cost for
the entire solar panel charge controller amounted to 500 pesos. Considering the excess parts
and other costs, especially the parts that became useless since we had some failed circuits, the
total cost amounted to about 750 pesos. The circuit making took up a lot of time since most of
us are new to this. Nonetheless, this has been a great experience as most of us were doing a
project like this for the first time. A lot of techniques and skills in assembly and soldering of
circuits were taught also to us making the tasks relevant also to our degrees.
Other materials such as the solar panels, wires, light bulbs, lamp sockets, boards,
connectors and the likes were bought by the professor. He asked us for help in canvassing for
the solar panels prices. We also had the chance to see our professors house in Dagohoy to
see the solar powered lights he has been using already for years. We took data and had a
better idea of how the whole project is to be executed. From here, we see that our project can
be a success with proper maintenance and usage.
After that, planning on who and how many will be benefited in this project took place.
Various suggestions were raised and finally, we have decided to give it to a few deserving
residents of Rizal. Picking who will be the recipient took up some time since there are many
factors that we need to be considered. The date and time of the community service proper was
then decided.
Two weeks before going to Rizal, we first assembled the components that we will be
installing in the households at our professors house. He gave us different duties to accomplish.
Some were tasked to prepare the materials needed to mount the controller to the board. Some
were asked to mount the controller to the boards then connect the wires to the connectors.
Others tested if the solar panels are working. Again, most of us are doing this kind of work for
the first time so it was rather memorable.

Students assembling the circuit components of the solar powered lighting set-up.

The day of community service has finally arrived. We first assembled at UP Diliman.
Once the class is complete, we head on straight to Antipolo, Rizal. The first destination is a
household that was a neighbor of a relative of one of our classmates. The class had previously
gone here to make a background check on the possible recipients in the area. This is the only
household that was considered in this neighborhood. It was trek-like going to the household.
After reaching it, the class immediately started working. Some worked on the mounting of the
solar panel on the roof while some worked in the wiring and mounting of the controller, lamp

socket and battery inside the house. By that time, almost everyone is exhausted due to the
temperature that time so we decided to take a quick break. We then move on to eat at a
restaurant specializing in bulalo. Next, we went in another barangay in Rizal. This barangay is
also the recipients of the past batches of CWTS-EEE class. We checked if the lightings installed
are still working. Then, we visited, monitored and observed, the solar panel powered lighting
set-up that was installed by our professor ahead of time before the class actually came. A total
of three different households benefited in the area.

The house of the recepient of our solar powered lighthing project,

Installation of charge controllers inside the house.

Mounting of the solar panel to blocks of

Installation of the DC 12V light to be used

A past project of the class which uses solar energy

An installed set-up of one of the recipients of the

CONCLUSION
We cant help everyone but everyone can help someone, a quote from Ronald Reagan
quite summarizes what has occurred on the entirety of our CWTS-EEE class. Overall, the goal
of the class for the year has been attained. Even though we have only helped a few, the
experiences weve been through, the realizations we had, and the values instilled in us through
this class have certainly molded us to become better persons and better citizens.