Aboitiz Foundation Assistant Vice President for Impact Programs Jowelle Ann Cruz, of , (middle) discusses the impact of AuroraPH with ING Hubs Philippines Head of Legal Mary Grace Torralba, and Wesley de Goede, COO Finance and People and Sustainability Executive Sponsor
Aboitiz Foundation and ING Hubs Philippines have partnered to equip four public schools in Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Bulacan, with digital learning systems powered by renewable energy and enhanced internet connectivity. The initiative aims to expand access to quality digital education in one of Central Luzon’s geographically isolated communities.
Implemented through AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship initiative for last-mile schools, the partnership equipped Kawit Elementary School, Basyo Elementary School, Bato Elementary School, and Pinag-anakan Integrated School with solar power systems, battery storage, satellite internet connectivity, television sets, and learning supplies.
The installation of solar panels, pictured here at Bato and Kawit Elementary Schools in Bulacan, allows students and teachers to access digital learning resources through clean and reliable electricity.
AuroraPH supports the Department of Education’s Last Mile Schools Program by bringing solar energy, internet connectivity, and digital learning technologies to underserved schools across the country. Beyond improving classroom instruction, the initiative seeks to strengthen the role of schools as community hubs that connect learners, educators, and families to broader opportunities.
“Through AuroraPH, we are helping create learning environments where students and teachers can connect to knowledge, opportunities, and resources that were previously difficult to access. We hope to empower schools to become stronger centers of learning and community development,” said Jowelle Ann Cruz, Assistant Vice President for Impact Programs of Aboitiz Foundation.
To date, AuroraPH has identified 84 schools nationwide for energization and connectivity support, contributing to its long-term goal of reaching 300 last-mile schools across the Philippines.
The DRT initiative was made possible through the support of ING Hubs Philippines, whose contribution reflects a shared commitment to advancing educational access and digital inclusion.
“Solar panels are not only about providing energy or ensuring there is light, they also help build resilient communities, creating a reliable system that supports children in their learning and growth. At ING Hubs Philippines, we are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by supporting initiatives like AuroraPH, helping advance inclusive and sustainable education in last-mile schools,” said Wesley de Goede, COO Finance and People and Sustainability Executive Sponsor at ING Hubs Philippines.
“By investing in connectivity and access to learning, we hope to help equip young people with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” he added.
In addition to supporting the installation of solar power systems and internet connectivity, ING Hubs Philippines donated 300 learning kits to students across the beneficiary schools. CitySavings Bank provided the television sets through the Aboitiz Group’s KINDer program.
As AuroraPH continues to expand, Aboitiz Foundation and its partners show how investments in renewable energy, connectivity, and education can create pathways to brighter futures for young Filipinos.
