Aboitiz Foundation accelerates digital push for remote schools

Access to quality education remains a challenge for many Filipino learners in far-flung areas, where the absence of electricity and internet connectivity continues to hinder opportunities for growth. Addressing this gap, the Aboitiz Foundation is pushing forward with its AuroraPH program to energize and connect last-mile schools, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent call to expand internet access across the country.

Through solar power installations and internet connectivity, AuroraPH is transforming isolated classrooms into modern learning spaces, with a target of reaching at least 300 last-mile schools nationwide. For the Foundation, electrifying these schools is a critical first step toward ensuring that no student is left behind in the digital shift.

“The President’s strong emphasis on widening internet access aligns with our mission. Power and connectivity goes hand in hand, there’s no digital learning without electricity,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, Chairman of Aboitiz Foundation. “Every school we energize and connect brings us closer to a future where no Filipino learner is left behind.”

AuroraPH was launched to help close the digital and energy divide in public schools, particularly those considered last-mile campuses, or schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Over 1,500 public schools in the country still do not have electricity, while more than 9,000 last-mile schools remain without access to digital infrastructure.

In partnership with the Department of Education, AuroraPH equips these off-grid schools with solar panels, internet access, and essential digital tools to enhance the learning experience. The program not only addresses classroom needs but also supports teachers and students with resources that can open doors to better opportunities in the future.

Following a successful pilot in 2024, Aboitiz Foundation expanded the reach of AuroraPH, benefiting over 5,000 students and teachers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. For 2025, the Foundation aims to energize 100 more schools, contributing to its broader goal of reaching 300 schools by the end of the program.

As of June 2025, eight schools have already been energized, with two more ready for turnover. Another eight are undergoing installation work, while 31 schools are lined up for the next phases. These milestones reflect Aboitiz Foundation’s steady commitment to bridging the country’s education gap.

“By energizing these last-mile schools today, the Aboitiz Foundation is lighting the path to digital equity and lifelong learning for all. We believe education should not be limited by geography,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Foundation president.

AuroraPH also contributes to the country’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education, while supporting national efforts to strengthen digital inclusion.

Together with DepEd, Aboitiz Foundation works alongside the Department of Information and Communications Technology to integrate internet access with electrification efforts, ensuring that every energized school benefits from both power and connectivity.

For Aboitiz Foundation, each installation is more than an infrastructure project, it is a step toward a future where Filipino learners, no matter where they are, have equal access to knowledge and opportunity.