Four public schools in Mauban, Quezon welcomed the new school year with solar energy that enhances the learning experience of students and teachers after One Meralco Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) brought its School Electrification Program (SEP) to the coastal municipality.

Over 450 students and more than 20 teachers and staff from Cagsiay III Elementary School, Cagsiay III National High School, Cagsiay III Elementary School-Annex, and Rosario Elementary School—are benefiting from an alternative energy source: solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. These off-grid schools were energized through the collaborative effort of Meralco, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Seeing their classrooms powered up with electricity brings relief to teachers and students. Janine Galvan, the teacher-in-charge of Cagsiay III National High School, said they can now use laptops, projectors, and other tools with ease for audio-visual presentations and multimedia materials to make classes more interactive and engaging for students, some of whom had to ride a boat or walk for more than one hour from their homes to the school. With electrification and internet connection, students can also technology for their studies, while teachers improve on learning delivery. These pave the way for greater digital literacy, a fundamental and crucial skill for the students’ future success.

“Sa pagkakaroon ng kuryente, mas mae-expose na ang mga bata sa digital tools, mas magiging interaktibo at masaya ang kanilang pagkatuto, at higit sa lahat, magkakaroon sila ng mas matibay na kumpiyansa sa sarili. Kung dati ay limitado lang sa blackboard at papel ang kanilang karanasan, ngayon ay pwede na silang matutong gumamit ng computer, manood ng educational videos, at makilahok sa mga online learning platforms,” Galvan said.

Access to power will also encourage students to stay in school and reduce transfer rates, as parents and students look for better learning opportunities outside their community, according to Sherwin Calzo, who teaches at Rosario Elementary School.

Teachers also benefit from the project. They can now readily prepare lessons, manage instructional materials, process grades, and access online professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and invest in their professional development without traveling far for it.

More than the immediate benefits to the students and teachers, the school’s electrification paves the way for students to aspire for a future beyond what they currently see in their communities. For Galvan, exposure to the wider world beyond their coastal community where they are expected to become farmers, fisherfolks, or laborers like their parents.

Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize power and internet access in educational institutions, OMF and Meralco are committed to energizing schools including those in rural communities. Meralco Chief Operating Officer (COO) and OMF Trustee Engr. Ronnie L. Aperocho emphasized this, stating, “Meralco is dedicated to making power access a top priority, even in rural areas in the Meralco franchise area. Energizing schools is a fundamental investment for the future of the nation, and by bringing the benefits of solar power to classrooms, we empower the next generation in building a brighter country for all.”

Solar technology harnessed in rural schools powers more than just the school facilities–it illuminates communities, OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said.

“School electrification ignites hope and progress within the community. By enhancing the very spaces where our students learn how to thrive, we empower them to achieve their aspirations for themselves and their families and eventually, their communities. This investment enables progress and development that bring broader benefits for many Filipinos,” Tarayao said.

A brighter start for Mindanaoan students

As part of its school electrification program, eight public schools in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato received multimedia equipments.

The eight school beneficiaries that were energized by One Meralco Foundation in 2023 are; Gnanda B. Maguan IP School, Sitio Lanao Integrated School, and Akbual IP School in Sarangani, as well as Datu Manggong Elementary School, Blanga Elementary School, Elem Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat and Kboyong Elementary School and Datal Ligaw Elementary School in South Cotabato.

These elevisions and printers donated by the Meralco Employees Fund for Charity, Inc. (MEFCI), can be used to bridge the gap for those who have limited access to learning resources and engage more learners in the classroom, paving the way to better learning experience. Lenovo Philippines earlier provided laptops benefiting these energized schools.

Through OMF’s School Electrification Program, more than 300 public schools nationwide were energized, benefiting more than 92,000 students and more than 3,000 teachers.

Brigada Eskwela 2025 initiatives

OMF is also one with the Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing its annual Brigada Eskwela program in thousands of public schools last June 9 to 13, 2025. Fostering bayanihan among stakeholders, Brigada Eskwela prepares public schools for the incoming academic year, ensuring the schools offer an optimal learning environment for students.

In Angono Elementary School where the Schools Division of Rizal held the Brigada Eskwela kick-off, OMF and volunteer employees of Meralco from its Angono Business Center and Rizal Sector assessed the electrical facilities and pruned trees near power lines to prevent hazards through the Foundation’s “Safe ang School Ko” initiative. OMF and Meralco employee-volunteers also donated cleaning materials. These initiatives were also done in public schools in Pasig City, Las Piñas City, Tondo and Sampaloc in the City of Manila, Angono, Taytay, and Cainta in Rizal, and General Emilio Aguinaldo, Tagaytay City and Indang in Cavite.

Aside from supporting Brigada Eskwela, OMF together with employees of Meralco and its subsidiaries also launched its annual Balik Eskwela campaign, that will distribute back-toschool kits with reading and writing materials to kindergarten students in public schools.