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In Benguet’s far-flung sitios, three public schools have been energized and connected to the web through AuroraPH, a program of the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) and Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). With solar panels, Wi-Fi, and digital learning tools now in place, the initiative seeks to bridge education gaps and open new opportunities for last-mile students.
The three beneficiaries are Bakian Guinawan Elementary School, Marcelo Marquez National High School, and Pimingan Elementary School. They form part of efforts to close learning gaps and promote inclusive education in remote areas.
According to Pimingan Elementary School Principal Aileen Adonis, teachers once had to travel to Baguio to charge laptops, limiting classroom use. With new digital tools, she said, “students are now more engaged.”
Meanwhile, Regional Testing Coordinator Lanie Quinas noted gains in digital literacy, with students quickly adapting. “We used to bring them to town for digital exams,” she narrated. “Now, we can prepare them here in the schools.”
In Benguet, ARI runs nine run-of-river hydropower facilities that supply clean energy and extend support programs to surrounding communities.
(Also read: Electric Cooperatives and the Energy Transition: Help or Hindrance?)
Visayas rollout
In August, AuroraPH extended its reach to Bonifacia G. Soliman High School in Cebu, installing a 5-kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar installation to cut power costs and strengthen online access. The initiative aims to boost digital learning while promoting the shift to renewable energy.
BGSHS Principal Sheryll Duque welcomed the project, sharing its impact on classroom continuity. “Now that we have a reliable source of power, our students can continue learning without worrying about power interruptions,” she enthused, adding that it ensures smoother classes and steady access to learning resources.
Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap highlighted the value of teamwork in the initiative, saying, “Efforts like these show how public-private partnerships can transform communities and shape a better future for our youth.”
(Also read: Clean Energy to Boost Benguet’s Power Supply)
Powering Bataan schools
AuroraPH also focuses on indigenous communities in remote areas. In July, the program, together with GNPower Mariveles Energy Center and GNPower Dinginin, provided solar panels and internet access to the Biaan Aeta Integrated School in Mariveles, Bataan.
Carolina Violeta, superintendent of DepEd-Bataan Schools Division, accepted the project on behalf of the school community and thanked partners for the collaboration, emphasizing its role in advancing inclusive education and equal opportunities for learners.
AboitizPower Vice President for Corporate Services Andrea Mellind Madrid stressed the value of reaching last-mile schools. She stated, “Through solar power and internet connectivity, we’re not just lighting up classrooms — we’re powering the dreams of students, teachers, and parents.”
Launched in 2024, AuroraPH has so far powered 12 schools, benefiting almost 2,500 students in Benguet, Bataan, Cebu, Davao City, and Zambales. The program targets 300 schools nationwide by 2027.
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/07/20/bataan-school-receives-tech-and-energy-boost