๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฌโ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง, ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ
A 2019 graduate of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) has put the Philippines on the map for sustainable energy innovation and community service after being named one of Southeast Asia's top youth advocates.ย
Mr. Jhun Jhun Q. Agustin, a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Batch 2019 graduate, was proclaimed as one of the nine regional winners at the Sustainability and Energy Forum 4.0, held at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from 3-4 September.ย
The forum, organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with Sarawak Energy, recognized Mr. Agustinโs groundbreaking proposal for implementing small-scale hydropower systems in his home province.
Mr. Agustinโs winning project, titled โImplementing Small-scale Hydropower systems in the Philippines: Powered by Youth, Driven by Water,โ emerged victorious alongside two other Philippine entries from De La SalleโLipa and Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). His comprehensive entry involved submitting detailed videos, infographics, and policy suggestions, culminating in a defense of his project before a panel of experts.
A key moment in his successful pitch was his compelling presentation on the plight of the Aeta communities in the mountainous areas of Mayantoc, Tarlac. Mr. Agustin shared that detailing the energy challenge faced by these indigenous groups deeply moved the judges.ย
The prestigious award comes with a significant package of prizes designed to further his cause. Mr. Agustin received a cash prize, an educational trip across ASEAN nations, and a coveted opportunity to speak at subsequent ASEAN forums, including the ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) this October. Crucially, the win also secured funding for the installation of solar lights in Brgy. Labney, a direct benefit to the community he wishes to support sustainably.
In a message shared to the Information Unit, Mr. Agustin highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the victory, acknowledging the outreach activities of his friend and former classmate and colleague, Mr. Jay-Art F. Agustin. His triumph underscores a powerful message: that local solutions, fueled by youth-led innovation and a deep sense of community, can gain recognition on the ASEAN stage and bring about real, transformative change for underserved populations.ย
A pride of the Philippines and TAU, indeed.ย
#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #ASEAN #YouthEnergy #ACE #SDG4 #SDG7 #SDG17
Article | Information Unit
Photos | Mr. Jhun Jhun Q. Agustin
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