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BATAAN AETA SCHOOL GETS SOLAR PANELS, SATELLITE INTERNET

/ 21 July 2025

THE Biaan Aeta Integrated School or BAIS in Mariveles, Bataan is now equipped with solar panels and satellite internet.

This was part of AuroraPH program of Aboitiz Foundation—an initiative aimed at empowering learners and educators in the country’s most remote communities.

Launched in 2024, AuroraPH focuses on supporting last-mile schools by improving access to education through sustainable energy and connectivity.

To date, the program has benefited over 2,500 students and educators in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas across the Philippines.

The installations at BAIS were made possible through the support of AboitizPower’s subsidiaries—GNPower Mariveles Energy Center and GNPower Dinginin —in partnership with the Department of Education.

DepEd Bataan Schools Division Superintendent Carolina Violeta formally accepted the equipment during a turnover ceremony and emphasized the crucial role of partnerships between the public and private sectors.

“Our learners in far-flung areas deserve the same opportunities as those in urban centers,” Violeta said.

“With the support of the private sector, especially programs like AuroraPH, we are getting closer to bridging the education gap,” she added.

The school staff have received training on the operation and maintenance of the solar panel systems to ensure their long-term sustainability.

“AuroraPH is more than just a project—it is a promise to illuminate pathways and unlock opportunities,” said Jowelle Ann Cruz, Impact Lead for Education at the foundation.

With the new solar-powered systems and reliable internet access, students and teachers at BAIS are expected to benefit from enhanced learning environments, better access to digital educational resources, and reduced reliance on unstable or unavailable electricity sources.

The installation in Bataan reflects the AuroraPH program’s broader mission of creating inclusive and resilient learning communities, one school at a time.