Aboitiz Construction, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, brought reliable solar power energy to Mangumihay Elementary School, a remote, off-grid mountain school in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
The turnover ceremony, held last July 29, marks another milestone for the AuroraPH — a flagship education and connectivity initiative that aims to support 300 off-grid, last-mile schools across the Philippines with solar power, internet systems, digital learning tools and capacity building. Implemented in partnership with DepEd and other stakeholders, AuroraPH helps bridge the country’s educational and digital divide.
Aboitiz Construction installed a 5.49-kWp hybrid solar power system at the off-grid school through AboitizPower’s A+ Power Services, Inc. To complement the power supply and bridge the digital divide, Therma Marine, Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. installed satellite internet connectivity, while the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte donated Smart TVs to equip classrooms for interactive learning.
For the school’s educators and young learners, having electricity and internet access for the first time transforms daily instruction from basic, off-grid lessons into an immersive classroom experience.
Reaching Mangumihay Elementary School, one of the farthest learning institutions in the province, requires a motorcycle (habal-habal) ride that takes nearly two hours from the Nasipit highway through rugged terrain, where unpaved roads turn into mud during the rainy season.
“Guided by our commitment to being Engineered for Excellence, we at Aboitiz Construction extend our impact beyond daily operations to advance education and help local communities thrive. This initiative is an example of how construction can go beyond physical structures and maintenance services to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of many,” said Karmine Andrea Ching, Senior AVP for Business Transformation at Aboitiz Construction.
Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante expressed her gratitude for the multi-stakeholder partnership, emphasizing its impact on the local indigenous community. “Ninety percent of the inhabitants in Sitio Salaysayon belong to the indigenous Higaonon tribe. I am deeply grateful to the Aboitiz Group because this project provides equal opportunities for children living in far-flung areas to receive the same quality of education as those living in the lowlands. We are in a technology-driven era, and through this initiative, our Higaonon students will not be left behind,” Amante shared.
Mangumihay Elementary School marks the 53rd last-mile school energized by AuroraPH, advancing the program’s overall target to bring solar power, internet access, and digital learning tools to 300 remote schools nationwide by 2028.
“Our goal is to help ensure that where a child lives does not determine the quality of education they receive. Through the AuroraPH initiative, we are creating better learning opportunities by helping schools become more connected, better equipped, and more prepared for the future. When we invest in education, we invest in the potential of every learner and in the future of our communities,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Foundation President.
With these interventions, students from the Higaonon tribe can now access modern digital education, connect to the wider world, and dream bigger for their future.
On the same day, Baboy-Baboy Elementary School, another remote off-grid school in Nasipit, also received the AuroraPH package from UnionBank and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
These successful turnover ceremonies in Nasipit were made possible through the strong partnership and close coordination with the Department of Education Caraga Region and the Schools Division Office of Agusan del Norte.
