Twelve public schools in the highland barangays of Valencia, Negros Oriental received a major digital boost after Energy Development Corp. (EDC) turned over 36 brand-new laptops valued at over P1 million.
The donation, aimed at improving classroom instruction and supporting digital learning, was formally handed to the Department of Education (DepEd), Valencia District. EDC-Negros Facility Head Noel Tan and Corporate Relations Head Erwin Magallanes led the ceremonial turnover.
Green Core Geothermal, Inc. (GCGI), EDC’s subsidiary, facilitated the initiative as part of its commitment to uplift education in its host communities.
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Merging tech with environmental stewardship
Each school received three brand-new laptops and matching tree bags.
The beneficiaries include a mix of elementary and primary schools: Vicente I. Villa Memorial School, Caidiocan Elementary, Malabo Elementary, Puhagan Elementary, Liptong Elementary, Badiang Elementary, Dungga Primary, Pulangbato Elementary, Nasuji Elementary, Palinpinon Elementary, Malaunay Elementary, and Sagbang Elementary.
Many of these schools are situated in barangays that host EDC’s geothermal operations in the area. Valencia houses the Palinpinon Geothermal Field, where EDC runs the Southern Negros Geothermal Production Field, which includes the Palinpinon 1 and 2 power plants.
Dr. Neri Ojastro, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Negros Oriental, commended the donation, saying it would go a long way in equipping both students and teachers with tools to support modern learning. “Education is the energy that gives us the power to live in a quite complicated community and life,” he remarked.
Ojastro emphasized that the goal is not just to improve academic performance but to nurture learners into becoming productive members of society. “The school is the future community,” he said.
GCGI also announced plans to provide school supplies and raincoats to support students from the 12 recipient schools.
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Advancing education
Magallanes underscored the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting education through its flagship SIKAT program. He explained that SIKAT is designed to empower the youth with essential knowledge and skills to become leaders in their communities.
Magallanes added that providing updated laptops is part of this mission, especially as outdated devices can no longer meet the demands of today’s learning platforms.
He shared that through the SIKAT school initiative, EDC hopes to ignite hope and inspiration in classrooms by giving both students and teachers better tools to learn, teach, and thrive. Access to digital resources, he highlighted, not only broadens educational reach but also deepens engagement and learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, Tan shared his hope that the laptops would ignite students’ interest in science and renewable energy. He envisioned the donation as a stepping stone for nurturing future scientists and engineers who may eventually join EDC’s mission.
“May these laptops enable you to develop innovative teaching methods and use digital tools to bridge educational gaps,” he stated.
Magallanes also revealed that a total of 60 laptops have been allocated for schools throughout the Negros Island Region. Of these, 24 additional units are set to be delivered soon to partner schools in Negros Occidental, further expanding EDC’s support for digital learning in the region.
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251975
https://pia.gov.ph/deped-negros-oriental-gets-36-laptops-from-geothermal-inc