Improving the learning experience in Palawan public schools
Indigenous students and teachers in three remote public schools in Palawan are now more productive after One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) energized these schools and Meralco employees donated multimedia equipment. This initiative, part of the Foundation’s School Electrification Program, aims to improve the learning experiences in these hard-to-reach communities.
Calupisan Elementary School in Rizal, Palawan, and Paliisan Elementary School and Catagupan Elementary School in Balabac, Palawan are among more than 300 public school beneficiaries of the program since it started in 2011. The installation of solar PV systems in these previously unenergized sites provides a reliable electricity source, enabling illuminated classrooms, better ventilation, the use of multimedia equipment for learning and even the installation of Wi-Fi to access online educational resources.
The donation of multimedia tools, including televisions, printers, and laptops from the Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity Inc. (MEFCI) and Lenovo Philippines empowers teachers to capture students' attention with interactive and visual materials. Now, teachers can now charge their devices and print learning aids at school, eliminating the need to use personal resources at home. This also allows them to integrate to their lessons some educational videos that actively engage students and encourage more interactions in the classrooms.
This new accessibility to electricity and multimedia equipment acts as a strong incentive for students, encouraging them to attend school despite walking for hours just to reach class. Analyn Miñao, a teacher of Palaw’an kindergarten students at Calupisan Elementary School, shared her optimism that technology will lead to better learning materials. She added: “Magiging mas malawak na rin ang pagkukuhanan namin ng resources, at makakapag-Powerpoint na kami para may visual aids na para sa mga estudyante.”
Meanwhile, Emman Riambon, who teaches at the same school, further highlighted the immediate impact on student engagement, noting how multimedia equipment perks up students who were previously inattentive. He observed, "Mapapansin mo sila na hindi na tulog sa hapon, nag-aabang na sila kasi tuwing hapon may mangyayari. Na magpe-play na naman si Sir ng video, may mapapanood na naman kami o sasayaw kami o may activity na gagamit ng multimedia."
With solar electrification and multimedia equipment, teachers are now more hopeful about a brighter future for the Indigenous students of Calupisan. Riambon added: “'Di na nila kailangan lumabas sa mundo, ang mundo na ang dadalhin namin sa kanila gamit itong mga technology na dinonate po sa amin.”
From Paliisan Elementary School, Teacher Myca Tamba expressed deep gratitude for the new equipment, noting its impact on their island school's efficiency. She stated, "Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng binigay para sa mga estudyante, ito po ay napakalaking tulong para po maiangat at makasabay kami kung ano ang nangyayari sa labas ng aming isla.”
Department of Education Schools District Supervisor Fe Agbon also celebrated the initiative, emphasizing the vast exposure the students now receive. "Nakikita na ang mga bata dito, hindi lahat nakakalabas sa bayan pero dahil meron na tayong ganitong kagamitan, parang nakarating na rin sila sa bayan. Meron nang pailaw, meron pang pa-television,” she said.
“What we delivered to these remote schools in Palawan is much more than electricity—it is the light of hope for every student—made possible by the shared commitment of our partners who are dedicated to bring opportunities to the farthest corners of the nation. Together, we are ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey toward a truly brighter future for Filipinos,” OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao expressed.
Since 2012, OMF’s School Electrification Program has energized more than 300 public schools across the Philippines, paving the way for a better learning experience and improved productivity for more than 92,000 students and 3,000 teachers.