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Three remote public schools in Palawan are now experiencing brighter classrooms and more engaging lessons after finally gaining access to electricity through the One Meralco Foundation’s (OMF) School Electrification Program (SEP). For Indigenous students and teachers who have long relied on daylight and handwritten materials, the shift has been nothing short of transformative.

OMF, the corporate social responsibility arm of Meralco, rolled out the program to Calupisan Elementary School in Rizal and Paliisan Elementary School and Catagupan Elementary School in Balabac — areas that are notoriously difficult to reach.

The project equipped the schools with solar photovoltaic systems, giving them a steady power supply that now lights up classrooms, improves ventilation, and allows teachers to use Wi-Fi and multimedia tools for more dynamic teaching.

To help the schools maximize their new access to electricity, the Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity Inc. (MEFCI) and Lenovo Philippines donated laptops, printers, and televisions. These are already making lessons more interactive and helping teachers introduce video-based and digital learning materials.

For many students, the change is a strong motivation to attend classes — even if they have to walk long distances.

Analyn Miñao, a kindergarten teacher from Calupisan Elementary School, said the added learning tools give them access to more resources and visual aids that make teaching easier and more effective.

Another teacher, Emman Riambon, said multimedia tools have quickly boosted classroom participation, noting how students who used to lose focus now become more attentive when videos and visuals are used.

At Paliisan Elementary School, teacher Myca Tamba expressed deep appreciation for the equipment that has improved the island school's operations. “We are grateful for everything that were given for our students. These will help us improve and keep up with the developments happening beyond our island,” she said.

Department of Education Schools District Supervisor Fe Agbon also praised the initiative, emphasizing how the tools broaden students’ understanding of the world. “Not all our students are able to go to the town, but now that we have these tools, they are learning more about what is happening there,” she said.

OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao highlighted the deeper impact of the program beyond technical installations. “What we delivered to these remote schools in Palawan is much more than electricity—it is the light of hope for every student—made possible by the shared commitment of our partners who are dedicated to bring opportunities to the farthest corners of the nation. Together, we are ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey toward a truly brighter future for Filipinos,” he said.

Since its launch in 2011, the School Electrification Program has energized over 300 public schools across the country, improving the learning environment for more than 92,000 students and 3,000 teachers — proving how access to electricity can open doors for even the most isolated communities.