As students begin a new school year, a remote indigenous school is gaining access to improved learning facilities, sustainable energy, and digital connectivity through Aboitiz Foods’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, which supports the Aboitiz Foundation’s AuroraPH project.
On June 11, 2026, Mabaldog Elementary School (ES) officially received a 6-kWp off-grid solar power system, Starlink internet connectivity, digital learning tools, refurbished classrooms, industrial fans, and school supplies.
Implemented through the collaboration of Aboitiz Foods subsidiary Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico), Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz Power, the Department of Education (DepEd), the local government of Gabaldon, and various technical partners, the AuroraPH project helps bridge gaps in access to electricity, connectivity, and essential learning resources needed to nurture the potential of last-mile learners.
“Through AuroraPH, we are igniting a new light of opportunity to help build a modern sanctuary of learning, where students can study in comfort, explore the world through digital connectivity, and dream without boundaries,” said Atty. Ceazar Ryan Aquino, Vice President for Business Development and Public Policy at Aboitiz Foods.
Learning Against the Odds
Perched atop the mountains of Gabaldon, the school serves around 40 Dumagat students from kindergarten to Grade 6. From the nearest accessible road, it takes nearly an hour by motorcycle—or almost three hours on foot during the rainy season—to reach the school, requiring travel across streams, rivers, and rocky trails.
Yet every school day, students arrive early and eager to learn. Many travel long distances through the same rugged terrain to attend classes. Their teachers make similar sacrifices, staying at the school during the week and returning to their families only on weekends.
“Meron pong mga bata na halos 1 hour po naglalakad papasok, kaya pagdating nila sa school, pagod po sila. Pero masipag po silang pumasok kahit araw-araw silang naglalakad,” narrated Teacher Dyane, one of the three teachers at Mabaldog ES.
[English translation: “Some children walk almost an hour to get to school, so by the time they arrive, they are already tired. But despite that, they remain eager to attend classes even if they have to walk every day.”]
This school year opened on a hopeful note for these students. Two new classrooms welcomed them at the start of classes, while a Smart TV donated by DepEd introduced new opportunities for interactive learning.
Building on these improvements, Aboitiz Foods, together with its partners, further enhanced the school’s learning environment through AuroraPH.
From Darkness to Digital Empowerment
For years, Mabaldog ES relied on a small solar power system that could provide electricity for only a few hours each day.
Through Aboitiz Foods’ support, the expanded solar installation now provides a more reliable source of electricity, enabling the school to maximize the use of digital learning tools, charge devices, and improve daily teaching and learning conditions. Industrial fans help create a cooler and more conducive learning environment, while the teachers’ office is now equipped with air conditioning, providing added comfort as educators prepare lessons during their stay on campus.
“Noong wala pa iyong bagong solar panels, ang dilim po. Ganyan po iyong struggle ng mga estudyante. ‘Ma’am, hindi po namin makita. Ma’am, ang init po.’ Ganoon po sila noong wala pa po kaming kuryente,” recalled Teacher Dyane. “Ngayon, iyong electric fans sa classroom ko, sasabihin nila, ‘Ma’am, itapat n’yo po sa amin. Ma’am, isindi na po natin iyong ilaw.’ Maliwanag na po. Excited po sila.”
[English translation: “Before we had the new solar panels, it was very dark. That was the students’ struggle. They would say, ‘Ma’am, we can’t see. Ma’am, it’s too hot.’ That was our situation when we didn’t have reliable electricity,” she recalled. “Now, with the electric fans in my classroom, they say, ‘Ma’am, please point the fan toward us. Ma’am, let’s turn on the lights.’ It’s much brighter now. They are excited.”]
The addition of stable internet connectivity further expands access to educational resources that were previously difficult to access in this geographically isolated community.
“At Aboitiz Foundation, our long-term goal is to power and connect 300 last-mile schools across the country. And we cannot do this alone. Real transformation begins through partnerships,” said Danielle Marie Laurente, Accounting Manager at Aboitiz Foundation. “Together, we continue working toward a future where no school is too far, no learner is forgotten, and no dream is out of reach.”
A Shared Commitment to the Future
Mabaldog ES is the eighth school supported by Aboitiz Foods under the AuroraPH program. In 2025, the company also supported two remote schools in Tarlac and five schools in Iligan City through the initiative.
Aboitiz Foods CSR Specialist Pinky Christine Baroman, who oversaw the project’s implementation, noted that the initiative serves as a powerful model of how strategic collaboration can help address educational inequalities.
Reflecting on the collective effort behind the project, Baroman said, “It takes a village to raise a child. Every child and every student at Mabaldog Elementary School deserves the same opportunities as students in urban areas. Bringing technology closer to last-mile schools helps bridge that gap and allows underserved learners to experience a more modern way of learning.”
True to its name—symbolizing a new dawn—AuroraPH opens doors to new possibilities for students and teachers in last-mile communities. With access to reliable power, internet connectivity, and digital learning resources, schools are better equipped to prepare learners for the future.
Through initiatives like AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foods continues to create lasting impact, proving that through collaboration and a shared sense of purpose, even the most remote schools can become places where aspirations are nurtured, opportunities are expanded, and futures are empowered.
For more information, visit https://www.aboitizfoods.com/
