IN a strong alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent call to expand internet access in the country’s most remote areas, Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), accelerates its efforts to energize and digitally enable last-mile schools across the Philippines, targeting at least 300 schools as part of its ongoing rollout. Aboitiz Foundation believes that powering schools is the critical first step toward making digital learning a reality for students in underserved communities.
“The President’s strong emphasis on widening internet access aligns with our mission. Power and connectivity go hand in hand—there’s no digital learning without electricity,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, Chairman of Aboitiz Foundation. “We are energizing and connecting every school, thus moving closer to a future where no Filipino learner is left behind.”
One of Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship initiatives, AuroraPH, is designed to bridge the digital and energy divide in the country’s most underserved public schools. It addresses a critical gap in the Philippine educational landscape: over 1,500 public schools remain without electricity, and more than 9,000 last-mile schools lack access to essential digital infrastructure. In partnership with DepEd, AuroraPH delivers solar power, internet connectivity, and digital tools to transform off-grid classrooms into centers of learning and opportunity.
Following a successful pilot in 2024, AuroraPH energized off-grid schools across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, directly benefiting over 5,000 students and educators. Building on this momentum, the Foundation is ramping up efforts in 2025, targeting 100 schools this year toward its overall goal of 300, which would represent roughly 20% of currently unenergized public schools nationwide.
As of June 2025, Aboitiz Foundation has energized eight schools, with two more ready for turnover and eight in various stages of implementation. Another 31 schools are currently in the pipeline. These milestones mark steady progress in Aboitiz Foundation’s mission to bring digital inclusion to the most isolated learning environments.
Aboitiz Foundation delivers solar panels to a last-mile school in Davao City as part of its mission to energize remote classrooms and enable digital learning through AuroraPH.
The program directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and contributes to broader national goals of digital inclusion and equitable development. Backed by strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors, AuroraPH serves as more than just an infrastructure project—it is a catalyst for sustainable transformation in the Philippine education system.
This initiative also forms part of the Aboitiz Group’s transition into the Philippines’ first techglomerate, leveraging innovation and technology to uplift communities and build a more inclusive future.
“By energizing these last-mile schools today, the Aboitiz Foundation is lighting the path to digital equity and lifelong learning for all. We believe education should not be limited by geography,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Foundation president. “By lighting up these last-mile schools, we’re laying the foundation for a more inclusive, tech-enabled future for every Filipino learner,” Hontiveros-Malvar added.
Aboitiz Foundation goes the extra mile—transporting solar panels by boat to reach remote schools, bringing power, connectivity, and hope to last-mile students in the Philippines.
Together with DepEd, Aboitiz Foundation is also supporting the Department of Information and Communications Technology in enabling internet connectivity in last-mile schools, ensuring that digital access accompanies electrification efforts.
Those who wish to support or partner with Aboitiz Foundation in this mission are encouraged to reach out via
About Aboitiz Foundation
Aboitiz Foundation, the CSR arm of the Aboitiz Group, is committed to shaping a brighter future for the nation. With over 35 years of empowering communities and driving sustainable development, the Foundation of the Philippines’ first techglomerate is expanding its impact to contribute to nation-building.
Committed to advancing social development, Aboitiz Foundation focuses on three key pillars:
- Future Leaders: Ensuring Filipino learners of all ages have access to resources, facilities, and scholarships to prepare them for a rapidly changing world.
- Jobs: Empowering Filipinos with digital tools and skills training to thrive in the global digital economy, fostering an entrepreneurship mindset.
- Climate Action: Developing and implementing environmental programs to construct climate-resilient communities and foster a more sustainable future through nature-based solutions.
Since 1988, the Foundation has shifted from one-time donations to Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship programs, which empower beneficiaries to reach their full potential. By partnering with strategic partners, the foundation creates projects that are scalable, impactful, and aligned with the company's expertise, benefiting communities throughout the Philippines.
