Lighting up far-flung communities
OMF energized Calupisan Elementary School in Rizal town, as well as Paliisan Elementary School and Catagupan Elementary School in Balabac—communities so remote that students often walk hours to reach their classrooms, Meralco said in a press release.
The initiative includes the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in these previously unenergized campuses, providing a dependable power source that lights up classrooms, improves ventilation, and enables the use of multimedia teaching equipment and Wi-Fi for accessing online learning resources.
Boosting learning through technology
To maximize the benefits of electrification, the Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity Inc. (MEFCI) and Lenovo Philippines donated televisions, laptops, and printers to support a more interactive and engaging learning environment.
Teachers say the new tools immediately uplifted student interest. The release quoted Analyn Miñao, a kindergarten teacher from Calupisan Elementary School, as saying that access to electricity and multimedia materials gives them “more resources and visual aids” to enrich lessons.
Her colleague, Emman Riambon, noted the change in student behavior: “The multimedia equipment perks up students who used to be inattentive. They are more eager to learn.”
From Paliisan Elementary School, teacher-in-charge Myca Tamba expressed gratitude for the technology that is helping their island school catch up with developments beyond their community. “These will help us improve and keep up with the changes happening beyond our island,” she said.
Greater exposure, greater opportunity
Department of Education Schools District Supervisor Fe Agbon also praised the initiative, emphasizing that students now gain exposure to the wider world even without traveling to town centers.
During the turnover ceremony, OMF program manager Michael Del Rosario handed over the donated equipment to school heads and teachers from the three beneficiary schools.
Powering hope for the future
“What we delivered to these remote schools is much more than electricity—it is the light of hope for every student,” said OMF president Jeffrey Tarayao.
“Together with our partners, we are ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey toward a brighter future for Filipinos.”
Since its launch in 2011, OMF’s SEP has energized more than 300 public schools, benefiting over 92,000 students and 3,000 teachers nationwide. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
