By: Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—Deep in the mountains of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, where roads disappear into muddy trails and reaching school means nearly two hours on a motorcycle ride, a simple flip of a switch has opened a world of new possibilities.
For the learners of Mangumihay Elementary School, electricity is no longer a distant convenience. It now powers classrooms, connects teachers and students to the internet, and brings digital learning closer to a community that has long faced the challenges of being far from the country’s educational mainstream.
The transformation came on July 29, 2026, when Aboitiz Construction, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, energized the remote mountain school under AuroraPH, a nationwide initiative aimed at bringing renewable energy, connectivity, digital learning tools, and capacity-building support to 300 off-grid, last-mile schools across the Philippines by 2028.
Mangumihay Elementary School, located in Sitio Salaysayon, Nasipit, serves learners from the Higaonon indigenous community. Before the project, the school operated without reliable electricity, limiting opportunities for technology-assisted instruction and access to digital resources.
Through the initiative, Aboitiz Construction installed a 5.49-kWp hybrid solar power system through AboitizPower’s A+ Power Services, Inc. The school also received satellite internet connectivity through the support of Therma Marine, Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation, while the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte provided Smart TVs to help teachers create more engaging and interactive lessons.
For teachers who once relied mainly on traditional learning materials, the arrival of power and connectivity represents a major change. Lessons can now move beyond textbooks and handwritten activities, allowing students to explore digital resources and connect with a wider world.
But Mangumihay Elementary School is not the only remote learning community in Agusan that has experienced this transformation.
Months earlier, AuroraPH reached another unique learning environment in Agusan del Sur—the floating classrooms of Dinagat Elementary School in Bunawan. On May 28, 2026, Aboitiz Foundation, together with Okada Foundation Inc., brought solar power and internet connectivity to the school, helping learners in a marshland community gain access to the same digital opportunities available to students in more accessible areas.
Surrounded by waterways and located far from conventional infrastructure, Dinagat Elementary School represents the challenges faced by many geographically isolated schools in the country. Through the installation of a hybrid solar power system and satellite internet connectivity, students and teachers gained a stronger connection to educational resources beyond their community.
Together, the two Agusan projects tell a larger story: that distance should not determine the quality of education a child receives.
“Mangumihay Elementary School marks the 53rd last-mile school energized by AuroraPH,” Aboitiz Foundation said, as the initiative continues its mission to support hundreds of remote schools nationwide.
Aboitiz Construction emphasized that its role goes beyond constructing physical structures, extending its efforts toward initiatives that create meaningful and lasting community impact.
For the Higaonon learners of Nasipit and the children studying in the floating classrooms of Bunawan, solar panels and internet connections are more than technological upgrades. They are bridges—connecting young learners to knowledge, opportunities, and a future that is no longer limited by geography.
From mountain trails to floating classrooms, Agusan’s last-mile schools are showing that even the most remote communities can be connected when partnerships, innovation, and a shared commitment to education come together.
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