OMF Program Manager Michael Del Rosario turned-over the multimedia equipment donated by the Meralco Employees Fund for Charity, Inc. and Lenovo Philippines and were received by Teacher-in-Charge Neljoy Bohol of Calupisan Elementary School (rightmost), Master Teacher II Helen Fresnillo of Catagupan Elementary School (2nd from left), and Teacher-in-Charge Myca Tamba of Paliisan Elementary School (leftmost).
Indigenous learners in some of Palawan’s most hard-to-reach communities are now experiencing a brighter, more dynamic learning environment as One Meralco Foundation (OMF) powers up three remote public schools through its School Electrification Program (SEP).
The CSR arm of Manila Electric Company brought solar power and multimedia learning tools to Calupisan Elementary School in Rizal, as well as Paliisan Elementary School and Catagupan Elementary School in Balabac—communities that have long operated without access to electricity. For many students, this marks the first time their classrooms are lit, ventilated, and equipped for digital learning.
Under the initiative, OMF installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in previously unenergized sites, giving the schools a steady and sustainable power source. With electricity finally flowing, classrooms are no longer dim and stifling. Teachers can now use televisions, laptops, printers, and Wi-Fi—a leap that instantly expands access to online educational resources and modern teaching tools.
The program’s impact deepened further with support from Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity Inc. (MEFCI) and Lenovo Philippines, which donated televisions, laptops, and other multimedia equipment. These tools allow teachers to integrate videos, digital modules, and interactive materials into their lessons—making classes livelier and more engaging for young learners.
Indigenous students in Calupisan Elementary School embrace interactive learning after OMF energized the school and Meralco employees provided multimedia equipment.
or many students who walk hours just to reach school, the change has been transformative. Kindergarten teacher Analyn Miñao of Calupisan Elementary said having electricity and visual aids provides a powerful motivation for children who previously learned in bare, unequipped classrooms. Her fellow teacher, Emman Riambon, immediately noticed a shift in attentiveness, sharing how students who were once easily distracted are now more alert and excited during multimedia lessons.
In Paliisan Elementary School, teacher Myca Tamba expressed heartfelt gratitude for the new tools that are helping their small island school catch up with advancements beyond their shores. “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,” she said.
Department of Education Schools District Supervisor Fe Agbon likewise highlighted how the initiative broadens students’ exposure to the world. “Not all our students are able to go to the town, but now that we have these tools, they are learning more about what is happening there,” she noted.
OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao emphasized that the program delivers more than just electrical power. “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,” he said.
Since its launch in 2011, the School Electrification Program has energized more than 300 public schools nationwide, benefiting over 92,000 students and 3,000 teachers. In Palawan, the initiative doesn’t just switch on the lights—it sparks possibilities, opens new learning horizons, and helps ensure that even the most remote Indigenous communities are powered for a better tomorrow.
