- Aboitiz Foundation, UnionBank of the Philippines, and the local government of Cagayan de Oro bring solar power and internet to remote schools under the AuroraPH program
- The initiative improves digital education access while enabling essential services like birth registration and government support in underserved communities
- AuroraPH has reached 84 last-mile schools, positioning them as hubs for connectivity, learning, and community development
In a powerful example of how innovation is transforming access to learning, the Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with UnionBank of the Philippines and the local government of Cagayan de Oro, has brought solar power and internet connectivity in remote schools through its AuroraPH program. The initiative is gaining attention as a meaningful step toward improving education access in the Philippines.
Two geographically isolated schools Apo Malaki Integrated School, Bugsok Extension and Migtugsok Mobile School have now been equipped with reliable electricity and satellite internet, addressing long-standing barriers to digital education in rural communities. For many students in these areas, the lack of basic infrastructure has limited not only classroom learning but also access to essential services.
With the arrival of connectivity, the impact has extended beyond education. The Philippine Statistics Authority conducted onsite birth registration in Sitio Bugsok, enabling previously undocumented residents to obtain official identity records. This development opens doors to government services access through education hubs, including healthcare, schooling, and social protection.
Also Read: Promising Education Policy Practices for Access & Safety in Asia
AuroraPH is designed to position schools as central hubs that combine energy, connectivity, and community services, creating a broader ecosystem for development. So far, the program has reached 84 last-mile schools across the country, highlighting its growing role in bridging the gap in rural education infrastructure in the Philippines.
The initiative underscores a critical issue: infrastructure gaps continue to hold back opportunities in remote regions, where students often struggle without electricity or internet. By addressing these challenges, AuroraPH is helping unlock equal learning opportunities in underserved communities.
As public and private sectors come together, this effort reflects a larger shift toward collaborative solutions in education. It also reinforces how technology in education can drive not just academic progress, but also social and economic inclusion in some of the country’s most hard-to-reach areas.
