New ‘light’ dawns on last-mile schools

Tears are falling on Judy Patac’s eyes and she covers her face with her hands in a video posted on the Facebook page of AboitizPower-owned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). The teacher of Lapinig Elementary School in Barangay Gumitan, Marilog District, Davao City could not contain her happiness with the installation of a solar power system in the school by DLPC. With electricity produced through the solar panels on the roof of the last-mile school, she is very thankful to DLPC and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI) as she could now better teach pupils with downloadable lessons and the pupils themselves could use the Internet for more learning.

DLPC also did the same to Kabangbang Elementary School in the same village. But there will be more. About 300 off-grid public schools will soon experience a brighter, more connected future through AuroraPH after the signing by the Department of Education (DepEd) and AFI of a memorandum of agreement to undertake the project.

Far-flung classrooms in the country often go dark by noon and online learning is just a dream, so Aurora or new light, to which the AuroraPH project was named, will be brought to such schools.

Under AuroraPH, schools with little or no electricity will be equipped with solar power systems, Starlink internet connectivity, digital learning devices and teacher training — unlocking access to the digital world for thousands of students.

“We want to ensure that the needs of students are prioritized. We are laying the groundwork for inclusive education and digital empowerment,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz at the ceremonial MoA signing at the DepEd office last 4 April.

“This is not a short-term donation, it is a sustainable and scalable solution — one that supports DepEd’s strategic goals, aligns with global development priorities, and reflects the Aboitiz Group’s commitment to advance education, innovation and inclusive growth,” Aboitiz added.

Twelve pilot schools will be completed by 2025. Each will receive two 5-kilowatt solar power systems to light up classrooms. Laptops and tablets pre-loaded with educational software will be distributed, and teachers will be trained to integrate technology into everyday lessons.

DepEd will help identify schools and ensure digital tools are fully used in the curriculum.

AuroraPH is part of the Aboitiz Future Leaders program, backed by partners that include Huawei Philippines, DFNN, A+Power Services Inc., Aboitiz InfraCapital and DLPC.