No more risky boat rides, no more giving birth in the dark. Safe childbirth is now a reality for mothers in Barangay Caponayan, a remote island village in Cuyo, Palawan, thanks to the newly solar-powered health station energized by One Meralco Foundation (OMF).
On July 29, a major milestone was reached when Sonia Agawin safely delivered her baby, Danica—the first childbirth to take place at the newly electrified health center. For the first time, the midwife and nurse on duty had light to guide them through the evening delivery, sterilized tools powered by electricity, and better ventilation to ensure a more comfortable and hygienic experience for both mother and child.
Before this breakthrough, expectant mothers had to endure a grueling two-hour boat ride to the Cuyo District Hospital weeks before their due date. The trip not only took an emotional toll but also cost families up to P2,000 for one-way boat rentals, plus expenses for a temporary stay in town.
Now, that burden is gone.
“There’s a different level of confidence now,” shared midwife Jenie May Nadayao, who has been serving the barangay since 2023. “We can move with ease, find our tools faster, and sterilize everything properly. Light changes everything.”
The Barangay Caponayan Health Station was energized in June 2025 as part of OMF’s Rural Health Center Electrification Program. Funded by the 2024 Meralco Golf Cup, the initiative aims to light up rural health stations and transform them into safe, functional spaces for community healthcare.
Since 2022, the program has already reached more than 21,000 residents across underserved areas in Rizal, Quezon, Palawan, Iloilo, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.
“Electrification does more than power up buildings,” said OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao. “It empowers communities. It ensures that mothers no longer have to face long and risky journeys to give birth, and gives our healthcare workers the tools and confidence they need to save lives—even in the country’s most remote corners.”
For Barangay Caponayan, this is more than just power—it’s the beginning of a brighter, safer future.