SNAP-Benguet, Aboitiz Foundation bring solar power to Benguet primary school

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet), in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), officially turned over a 5 kWp hybrid solar power system to Kiweng Primary School in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet, bringing reliable electricity to the school's 23 students and two teachers. The turnover, held at the Barangay Ambuklao Function Hall on August 26, 2026, was attended by school officials, local government representatives, and executives from SNAP and Aboitiz Foundation.

The project is under AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation's flagship program that brings electricity through solar and other renewable sources, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to remote schools in the Philippines. Kiweng Primary School is located in a remote, geographically isolated area that can only be reached by boat, with students and teachers having to walk up nearly 200 steps to reach the school grounds.

The system installed at Kiweng consists of 10 units of 590Wp Jinko Solar monocrystalline bifacial panels, a Deye hybrid inverter, and a battery storage unit. Also provided was an LED television unit that the school can use as an additional 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. He also took time to thank and laud the school principal and the parent-teacher association (PTA) present for the work that they do. “Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) for your incredible dedication to your students. You and the teachers are true heroes of this community."

Kiweng Primary School’s principal, Larson Calatero, likewise expressed gratitude: "You have brought us hope. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa (thank you very much to) DepEd, AFI, at SNAP for helping address one of the challenges faced by our school. 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, who was also in attendance, said, “We are truly grateful to SNAP not only for providing the solar power system to Kiweng Primary School, but also for the many projects and initiatives they have extended to our community in Barangay Ambuklao.”

This is SNAP-Benguet’s third project with Aboitiz Foundation. Other beneficiaries were 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, also in Itogon, which received a 6.2 kWp solar power system.

AuroraPH launched its pilot phase in 2024 with 11 schools nationwide, six of which are in Benguet, and has since grown to 53 schools, with 54 more in the pipeline — bringing the total to 107 schools across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The program aims to reach 300 schools nationwide in the coming years, working with government agencies such as the Department of Education, distribution utilities, and technology partners to deliver solar power, battery storage, and internet connectivity.