Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with Okada Foundation Inc., has delivered reliable solar power and internet connectivity to a remote floating school community in the marshlands of Agusan del Sur, expanding educational access in one of the country’s most underserved areas.
Through its flagship education initiative, AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation recently installed a 5.49-kWp hybrid solar power system and satellite internet connectivity at Dinagat Elementary School in Sitio Dinagat, Barangay San Marcos, Bunawan.
The school, which can only be reached after an hour-long pump boat ride across the Agusan marshlands, serves a community where classrooms rise with floodwaters during the rainy season.
For students and teachers, the arrival of electricity and internet represents more than an infrastructure upgrade—it opens access to digital learning tools, information, and opportunities that are often out of reach in geographically isolated communities.
“At Aboitiz Foundation, we believe that where a child is born should never determine the quality of education they receive,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, President of Aboitiz Foundation. “Every learner—whether in a city classroom or in a floating school—deserves the opportunity to learn, connect, and build a better future.”
AuroraPH combines renewable energy systems, satellite internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to support schools in areas with limited infrastructure. Beyond education, connected schools can also serve as community hubs, providing residents with improved access to information and digital services.
The program continues to expand nationwide, with 84 schools currently in the pipeline and a long-term goal of connecting 300 last-mile schools to electricity and internet services. In the CARAGA region alone, eight schools have already been energized through the initiative, several of which serve remote and indigenous communities.
Recognizing AuroraPH’s growing impact, Okada Foundation Inc. has expanded its partnership with Aboitiz Foundation through an additional ₱10-million grant to support more last-mile schools across the country.
“At Okada Foundation, we believe education is one of the most powerful ways to create long-term opportunities for young Filipinos, while sustainability helps secure a better future for the next generation,” said James Lorenzana, President of Okada Foundation.
“More than solar panels and internet connectivity, AuroraPH is about creating better opportunities for learning, supporting teachers, and helping communities gain access to possibilities that were previously out of reach,” he added.
The initiative also aligns with Okada Manila’s ESG platform, Okada Green Heart, which focuses on sustainability and community development.
Meanwhile, City Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of Union Bank of the Philippines, donated a flat-screen television and water storage tanks to Dinagat Elementary School to support classroom instruction and improve access to clean water.
As AuroraPH continues to grow, Aboitiz Foundation and its partners are demonstrating how investments in education can create lasting impact—not only by improving learning opportunities but also by helping build stronger, more connected communities for generations to come.
