SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet), in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), has brought reliable electricity to Kiweng Primary School in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet through the installation of a 5-kWp hybrid solar power system.
The system was formally turned over on August 26, 2026, at the Barangay Ambuklao Function Hall, in an event attended by school officials, local government representatives, and executives from SNAP-Benguet and Aboitiz Foundation. The project is expected to benefit the school’s 23 students and two teachers by providing a more reliable source of power for learning and daily school activities.
The initiative is part of AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship program that brings solar and other renewable energy solutions, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to schools in remote and underserved communities across the Philippines.
Kiweng Primary School is located in a geographically isolated area accessible only by boat. Students and teachers also have to climb nearly 200 steps to reach the school grounds, highlighting the challenges faced by the community in accessing basic educational resources and infrastructure.
The solar system features 10 Jinko Solar 590Wp monocrystalline bifacial panels, a Deye hybrid inverter, and a battery storage unit. The school also received an LED television that can serve as an additional digital learning tool.
“We are so happy to bring this light here to Kiweng Primary School. We hope that teachers and students can make fuller use of digital learning tools in your classrooms,” said Daniel Icasiano, General Manager and Head of SN Aboitiz Power Group.
Icasiano also thanked the school principal and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for their dedication to the students and the community.
“Maraming salamat po for your incredible dedication to your students. You and the teachers are true heroes of this community,” he added.
Kiweng Primary School Principal Larson Calatero expressed his appreciation for the support, noting that the lack of electricity had made teaching and learning more difficult.
“You have brought us hope. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa DepEd, AFI, at SNAP for helping address one of the challenges faced by our school,” Calatero said. “We deeply appreciate your efforts to provide what our school needs because teaching and learning become more difficult when there is no electricity.”
Ambuklao Barangay Chairman Reynaldo Tello likewise thanked SNAP-Benguet for its support, not only through the solar project but also through other initiatives benefiting the community.
This marks SNAP-Benguet’s third collaboration with Aboitiz Foundation under the initiative. Previous beneficiaries include Domolpos Community School in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, which received a 6-kWp solar power system with battery storage and internet connectivity in December, and Lusod Community School in Itogon, which received a 6.2-kWp solar power system.
AuroraPH began its pilot phase in 2024 with 11 schools nationwide, six of them in Benguet. The program has since expanded to 53 schools, with another 54 in the pipeline, for a total of 107 schools targeted across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The program aims to reach 300 schools nationwide in the coming years through partnerships with government agencies, including the Department of Education, distribution utilities, and technology partners. Through these collaborations, AuroraPH seeks to provide more remote schools with solar power, battery storage, internet connectivity, and digital learning resources.
