Colombia. The "Light Your Life" program, promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the company Philips Lighting, was inaugurated in the Olaya Herrera Field in the city of Santa Marta. The program covers twenty community spaces in four Latin American countries (Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Brazil), and aims to promote energy efficiency and sustainability, creating more illuminated spaces, improving safety and integrating the community.
It is a regional project, which in Colombia, contemplates its presence in six sports venues: Alfonso López, San Martín and Olaya Herrera in Santa Marta; Rafael Garcia Herreros in Cartagena; La Sierrita in Barranquilla, which will be illuminated with LED technology; and Altos de Cazucá in Bogotá, which will be solar-powered. The investment in lighting for these football fields represents an important contribution to the cultural development of thousands of Colombians.
"Illuminate your Life" incorporates the highest lighting technology to the projects by using LED luminaires, which, given their characteristics, allow an energy saving of 50% over conventional technology and offer greater quality and uniformity to the spaces and illuminated communities allowing, in this way, that all the inhabitants can practice sports and recreational activities, in a safe environment.
"The partnership we formed with the IDB will allow us to continue executing this type of projects that we created in 2012 and that have been evolving; we want to continue supporting the less favored local communities with sustainable Colombian works. The lighting of these sports fields is proof of Philips Lighting's commitment," said Mauricio Ganem, General Manager Philips Lighting North Latam.
For his part, Rafael de la Cruz, IDB Representative in Colombia, said that "in line with the Emerging and Sustainable Cities Program that the IDB has implemented in 50 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ilumina tu Vida allows us to continue contributing to the sustainable development of cities through a comprehensive approach that impacts the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations and promotes greater social inclusion."
With cultural presentations and the rhythm of folkloric dances, this ambitious program began that seeks to benefit 8,000 people in the country and has the support of the Initiative After the Pearl of America, led by the renowned singer Carlos Vives, who said "to feel very excited to be able to participate in actions that aim to improve the quality of life of Colombians and create sustainable cities in the long-term."
