Indigenous students and teachers in three remote public schools in Palawan are now enjoying improved learning experiences thanks to One Meralco Foundation’s (OMF) School Electrification Program (SEP). The initiative has provided access to electricity and multimedia equipment, enhancing both classroom productivity and student engagement.
The program reached Calupisan Elementary School in Rizal municipality and Paliisan and Catagupan Elementary Schools in Balabac town, bringing much-needed support to hard-to-reach communities. Through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, these previously unenergized schools now have reliable electricity, better classroom lighting and ventilation, and the ability to use multimedia tools and Wi-Fi to access online educational resources.
As part of the initiative, Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity Inc. (MEFCI) and Lenovo Philippines donated televisions, printers, and laptops, empowering teachers to integrate multimedia content into lessons and foster more interactive learning.
For students who walk hours to attend classes, access to electricity and technology has become a strong incentive to stay in school. Analyn Miñao, a kindergarten teacher at Calupisan Elementary School, noted the benefits of the program in providing more resources and visual aids. Likewise, Emman Riambon, also from Calupisan, highlighted how the new equipment immediately increased student engagement.
Teachers from other schools shared similar optimism. Myca Tamba of Paliisan Elementary expressed gratitude for the new tools, saying, “We are grateful for everything that were given for our students. These will help us improve and keep up with the developments happening beyond our island.”
Department of Education Schools District Supervisor Fe Agbon also praised the program, noting that students now gain broader exposure to learning resources despite their remote locations.
“What we delivered to these remote schools in Palawan is much more than electricity—it is the light of hope for every student,” said OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao. “Made possible by the shared commitment of our partners, we are bringing opportunities to the farthest corners of the nation and ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey toward a brighter future for Filipinos.”
Since its launch in 2011, OMF’s School Electrification Program has energized over 300 public schools nationwide, benefitting more than 92,000 students and 3,000 teachers.