Jerome Cainglet (5th from left), First Gen vice president, presents a sample of a solar panel to Adoracion Valdez (4th from left), head teacher of Santa Ines Elementary, during the turnover of a solar power system First Gen donated to the school. Also in photo are (l-r) Nestor Arcansalin, BOI director; Michael Reapor, First Gen assistant vice president; Gil Zubiaga, Brgy.Santa Ines chairman; Buddy Chester Repia of theDepartment of Education; and Ariel Abejuro with Reynaldo Reyes of AdtelFirst Gen Corporation has helped addressthe electricity needs of a remote and off-grid public school in Rizal by providing the school a solar plus battery photovoltaic system.

First Gen recently turned over the power system to the Santa Ines Elementary School in Brgy. Santa Ines, Tanay, Rizal as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program and in line with its commitment with the Board of Investments (BOI) on its existing clean energy power projects.

The donation aims not only to help the school get a clean and renewable energy source, but to show support to BOI’s own program of promoting renewable energy investments in the country.

The donated solar power system provides electricity for lighting the school and its perimeter, as well as for charg
ing gadgets such as laptops and cellphones.

The school has 13 rooms in four buildings, including seven classrooms, two libraries, a canteen, clinic, principal’s office and a separate room for home economics lessons. It has a student population of 238 that includes Dumagat and Igorot indigenous people.

First Gen turned over the solar power system after company officials, led by vice president Jerome Cainglet, formally signed the deed of donation for the solar photovoltaic system with Adoracion Valdez, the school head teacher.

First Gen tapped Adtel Inc. as contractor to assemble all the components of the power system—such as the solar panels, inverters and batteries—and install them in the school. Adtel also trained the school representatives on the proper operation and maintenance of the system. (Story/Photos by: Joel Gaborni)