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 now benefiting from sustainable, renewable power through 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 with ease laptops, projectors, and other tools for audio-visual presentations and multimedia materials to make classes more interactive and more engaging for students, some of whom had to endure a boat-ride or a one-hour walk from their homes to their school. With electricity and internet connection, students can also leverage technology for their studies, while teachers improve on learning delivery. These pave the way for greater digital literacy, a fundamental and crucial skill for students’ future success.
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.
“Naniniwala rin ako na mababawasan ang absenteeism ng mga bata dahil mas mae-engganyo silang pumasok sa paaralan kung may maayos na pasilidad, komportableng silid-aralan, at modernong kagamitan,”Calzo said.
Teachers also benefit from the project. They can now efficiently prepare lessons, manage instructional materials, and process grades. Moreover, they have ready access to online platforms giving them opportunities to advance their professional development without traveling far for it.
More than the immediate benefits to the students and teachers, the school’s electrification lays the foundation for students to aspire for a future beyond what they currently see in their communities. For Galvan, there is wider world beyond their coastal community that awaits them to explore.
Aligned with President Ferdinand R. 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 emphasizes, “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.”
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. ##
ABOUT ONE MERALCO FOUNDATION
One Meralco Foundation is the corporate foundation and social development arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco). It is a non-stock, non-profit organization registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. The thrusts of the Foundation are community electrification and energy education, environmental sustainability, grassroots partnerships, youth development, and disaster response.
The Foundation is a donee institution accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and a registered social welfare and development agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It is a member of the Association of Foundations and the League of Corporate Foundations.
