Insider Spotlight
The challenge is particularly pronounced in remote communities such as Sitio Dinagat in Bunawan, where reaching the local elementary school requires an hour-long pump boat ride across the Agusan marshlands and where rivers remain the primary transportation routes.
Against this backdrop, Dinagat Elementary School recently gained access to stable power and internet connectivity through AuroraPH, an education initiative of Aboitiz Foundation supported by Okada Foundation Inc.
Why it matters
Digital infrastructure has become increasingly important for schools as educators rely more heavily on online resources and technology-enabled learning. Yet many geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities remain disconnected from these opportunities because of inadequate infrastructure.
At Dinagat Elementary School, a 5.49-kWp hybrid solar power system and satellite internet connectivity were installed to provide students and teachers with access to online learning resources and digital tools.
“At Aboitiz Foundation, we believe that where a child is born should never determine the quality of education they receive,” Aboitiz Foundation president Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar said.
“Every learner — whether in a city classroom or in a floating school — deserves the opportunity to learn, connect, and build a better future.”
AuroraPH combines renewable energy systems, satellite internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to support schools in areas where conventional infrastructure remains limited. The initiative also allows schools to serve as community hubs where residents can access digital services and information.
Scaling the initiative
AuroraPH currently has 84 schools in the pipeline and aims to connect 300 last-mile schools nationwide to electricity and internet services over the long term.
In the Caraga region alone, eight schools have already been energized through the program, including several serving remote and indigenous communities.
Encouraged by the initiative’s expansion, Okada Foundation provided an additional P10-million grant to support the rollout of AuroraPH in more underserved schools across the country.
“At Okada Foundation, we believe education is one of the most powerful ways to create long-term opportunities for young Filipinos, while sustainability helps secure a better future for the next generation,” Okada Foundation president James Lorenzana said.
“More than solar panels and internet connectivity, AuroraPH is about creating better opportunities for learning, supporting teachers, and helping communities gain access to possibilities that were previously out of reach,” he added.
The initiative also aligns with Okada Manila’s environmental, social and governance commitments under its Okada Green Heart platform.
City Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of Union Bank of the Philippines, also donated a flat-screen television and water storage tanks to support classroom instruction and improve access to clean water at the school.
As efforts to close the country’s digital divide continue, projects that bring power and connectivity to last-mile schools are increasingly seen as critical investments in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening underserved communities. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
