Electrifying schools in remote areas

October 24, 2020 12:20 AM By Joe Zaldarriaga
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/24/electrifying-schools-in-remote-areas/

The most important challenge for utility companies in the country is to ensure the continuity of services despite the effects of the pandemic. This isn’t an industry in which people can work from home. They have to operate 24/7 to ensure electricity reaches homes reliably.

Providing efficient and reliable power, especially now that the country has resumed schools using a blended educational approach, is crucial while we are at home as we battle the pandemic.

It is inspiring to know that One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate foundation of electric distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco), has resumed its electrification of off-grid public schools to help teachers in far-flung communities implement blended learning.

For almost a decade now, OMF has been installing between 1- to 3-kilowatt solar PV systems in public schools located in some of the farthest and hardest-to-reach villages in the country, most of them outside the Meralco franchise area, under its school electrification program.

The foundation aims to provide a means for school children in these remote villages to access digital tools, such as computers and the Internet, vital to developing skills essential in today’s workplace.

As of the end of 2019, OMF has successfully provided electricity access to 245 schools across the country’s three major island groups: Luzon, 106; Visayas, 72, and Mindanao, 67.

OMF’s goal is to constantly keep this momentum. This year, the foundation planned to energize at least 15 more schools, but the health crisis hampered the program’s implementation, especially during the first half of the year.

According to Jeffrey Tarayao, OMF president, schools the foundation had previously energized are in hard-to-access areas even in usual circumstances. The pandemic created a huge challenge and restricted their travel movement to bring their equipment to reach those remote areas.

But even with such challenges, the foundation carried on to achieve its goals. Along with the easing of travel restrictions in many parts of the country, OMF resumed the deployment of its solar PV equipment and engineers to Samar and Masbate provinces in July.

Tarayao said instead of OMF delaying the implementation of its electrification projects, they believed that off-grid schools need electricity access, more so now that the Department of Education (DepEd) has shifted its strategy to blended learning.

This is especially crucial since power is a major component in DepEd’s blended learning educational approach. With students now staying at home to participate in online classes, they need reliable connectivity powered by sufficient power supply. Students studying at home using printed modules and worksheets also need reliable electricity.

Without power supply, teachers won’t be able to access learning materials and print them. Additionally, they won’t be able to participate in online seminars that would prepare them for implementing distance learning. Their students are the ones who will ultimately suffer.

With online classes now on its second week, OMF has completed the electrification of seven island schools in the municipality of Sto. Niño, Samar, among them is Corocawayan Elementary School.
Dennis Cubelo, the school’s principal said, in the past they had difficulty holding classes since electricity is limited on the island only from 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. using a common generator. Most of the schools on the island have no power supply.

Since there is no electricity in the school, which means they cannot use desktop computers and have Internet connectivity, they had to rent a boat to cross to the mainland. Teachers normally use their own money to pay for the boat ride.

With OMF electrifying the island, their school now has 24-hour electricity. Teachers also need not cross and brave the rough waters to perform their teaching duties.

Cubelo is pleased that through OMF’s electrification projects, their teachers are now ready to conduct the blended learning process to their students.

Despite the temporary setback due to the pandemic, OMF remains committed to meeting its target of electrifying at least 15 schools by yearend. In line with this, the foundation is now installing solar power equipment in seven schools in Masbate, and several others in Mindanao in the coming weeks.

On top of these projects, OMF is helping previously energized schools sustain their electrification by providing free training on the proper use and maintenance of their school’s solar PV equipment. This year, these will be conducted online for the safety of participants.

I believe it is important for private utility companies to work closely with local governments to expedite the installation process. This will ensure that proper health and safety protocols implemented in each municipality, such as physical distancing and the wearing of masks, are observed accordingly.

We need more companies like OMF which champions love for country and is willing to take the extra mile to see progress being made despite difficult times and situations.