Powering last-mile schools. Through the provision of solar power systems, satellite internet connectivity, and television sets under AuroraPH, the Baboybaboy and Mangumihay elementary schools are creating more opportunities. This initiative helps equip educators and young learners in remote communities with the tools they need to stay connected, engaged, and empowered for the future.
Nasipit, Agusan del Norte – For years, the faint glow of kerosene lamps and improvised battery-powered lighting was part of the everyday life of Sitios Baboybaboy and Mangumihay in Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Sur. For children studying in these remote communities, the lack of reliable electricity meant that the classroom was severely limited.
Reaching the two sitios from Nasipit’s poblacion takes about an hour to reach on a skylab, commonly known as a habal-habal, and required passage through areas that lacked roads. The journey is a reminder of just how far these communities are from the services and opportunities that many take for granted.
Here, families have learned to make do with what they have. Children walk long distances to school, some crossing rivers along the way, while teachers find ways to make learning possible despite limited access to electricity, the internet, and educational resources.
Yet the desire to learn has never been limited by distance. Every day, learners of Baboybaboy and Mangumihay Elementary School make the journey to class, carrying with them an aspiration: to learn something new and build a better future for themselves and their families.
For 31-year-old Jimboy Mandolihay, that journey is deeply personal. A native of the Higaonon tribe, he always sought to help not just his family, but also the entire community.
“Kinaraan among ginagamit magtuon kaniadto ug karon sama sa chalk, blackboard, ug mga libro. Sauna mobaba pami aron maka connect sa Wifi kay wala man kuryente diri. Wala sad mi magamit pang record sa among tradisyon, mga pagtulun-an sa among mga katigulangan,” Jimboy shared.
(Before, we relied on basic tools like chalk, blackboards, and books for our lessons. We had to go down to the town just to access the internet because there was no electricity in our community. We also had no way of recording and preserving our culture and the knowledge shared by our elders).
Rather than discouraging him, these hardships motivated Jimboy to persevere and finish his education. Today, the licensed teacher serves the same community where he once studied, helping shape the aspirations of a new generation of learners. Yet while his journey reflects perseverance, he knows today’s students deserve opportunities that were unavailable to him growing up.
That hope is beginning to take shape through AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation’s 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. It helps bridge the educational and digital divide in the Philippines.
Inspired by the Aurora Borealis, AuroraPH unites the strengths of various partners to bring light and opportunity to remote communities. Like the natural phenomenon that lights up the sky, the project seeks to illuminate possibilities that may have once seemed out of reach.
“This school is really one of the farthest schools in the province. Around 90% of the inhabitants here are really IPs (indigenous peoples) belonging to the Higaonon Tribe,” explained Agusan del Norte Governor Angelica Rosedell Amante. “The impact of this is we are giving equal opportunities to the children living in far-flung areas to be able to receive the same kind of education that those students in the town proper are getting. This is already a technology-driven era, so they will not be left behind.”
Satellite internet connectivity was facilitated by AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) and Aboitiz Foundation, allowing learners and teachers to browse the internet and do research. At the same time, a 5.49-kWp solar power system was provided by Aboitiz Construction Inc., while digital learning tools for the classroom were given by the local government and other private sector stakeholders.
For Jimboy, the value of these changes is ultimately measured not by the equipment installed, but by what his students might be able to do with them. “Unta pinaagi niini mas daghan pang malicense teacher sama nako o bisan unsa paman nga pangandoy sakong isig ka komunidad,” he said.
(We hope that through these opportunities, more people from our community will achieve their dreams, whether becoming teachers like me or pursuing whatever goals they have in life).
As the communities of Baboybaboy and Mangumihay can attest, energy means students gaining access to new knowledge, teachers connecting to wider resources, and families seeing new possibilities for the future. Through AuroraPH, these opportunities are able to take shape.
“This is more than just providing electricity and internet access. We hope it inspires the community to discover new possibilities, from learning and skills development to livelihood opportunities, that can help create a brighter future for everyone,” said TMI Sr. Manager for Operations and Maintenance Jerome Luchavez.
As access expands, so does the community’s ability to connect with the wider world. The introduction of new energy and connectivity solutions also supports broader efforts to strengthen inclusion, access to services and community development in geographically isolated areas.
“Through public-private partnerships like AuroraPH, we are bringing together resources, expertise, and a shared vision to create meaningful opportunities for our people, especially in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) barangays,” Governor Amante said. “By working hand in hand, we are not only addressing today’s needs but also leading and guiding our communities toward sustainable progress and a better future.”
