Solar power brings reliable electricity to remote Benguet school

BOKOD, Benguet — A remote primary school in Benguet has received a hybrid solar power system aimed at providing more reliable electricity for classes and digital learning, according to SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. (SNAP-Benguet).

SNAP-Benguet, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI), turned over a 5-kilowatt-peak solar power system to Kiweng Primary School in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, on Aug. 26, the company said in a media release.

The school serves 23 students and two teachers.

The project is part of AuroraPH, an Aboitiz Foundation program that provides electricity from solar and other renewable sources, internet connectivity and digital learning tools to remote schools in the Philippines.

According to the company, Kiweng Primary School is in a geographically isolated area that can only be reached by boat.

Students and teachers also walk nearly 200 steps to reach the school grounds.

The installed system comprises 10 590-watt-peak Jinko Solar monocrystalline bifacial panels, a Deye hybrid inverter and battery storage, SNAP-Benguet said.

The project also included an LED television for use as a learning aid.

“We are so happy to bring this light here to Kiweng Primary School. We hope that teachers and students can make fuller use of digital learning tools in your classrooms,” said Daniel Icasiano, general manager and head of SN Aboitiz Power Group, according to the release.

“Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) for your incredible dedication to your students. You and the teachers are true heroes of this community,” Icasiano said, thanking the school’s principal and parent-teacher association.

Kiweng principal Larson Calatero said the project would help address difficulties caused by the lack of electricity.

“You have brought us hope. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa (thank you very much to) DepEd, AFI, at SNAP for helping address one of the challenges faced by our school. We deeply appreciate your efforts to provide what our school needs because teaching and learning become more difficult when there is no electricity,” Calatero said, according to the SNAP-Benguet release.

Barangay Ambuklao chairman Reynaldo Tello also expressed appreciation for SNAP-Benguet’s projects in the community, the company said.

The Kiweng installation is SNAP-Benguet’s third project with the Aboitiz Foundation.

The company said Domolpos Community School in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, received a 6-kWp solar power system with battery storage and internet connectivity in December, while Lusod Community School in Itogon received a 6.2-kWp solar power system.

AuroraPH began its pilot phase in 2024 with 11 schools nationwide, including six in Benguet, according to the Aboitiz Foundation program information cited by SNAP-Benguet.

The program has since expanded to 53 schools, with 54 more in the pipeline, for a stated total of 107 schools across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

AuroraPH aims to reach 300 schools in the coming years, working with government agencies including the Department of Education, distribution utilities and technology partners, SNAP-Benguet said.