Philex sets solar energy for remote host schools

TUBA, Benguet – Hundreds of schoolchildren in two far flung public elementary schools here will soon be recipients of solar energy  -- thanks to Philex Mining Corp. as part of its commitment to help in development of host and neighboring communities.

            

Engineer Libby R. Ricafort, Philex vice president and resident manager, said the mining firm is installing solar power energy in SiocoCariño Elementary School and Piminggan Elementary School, both of which are located in Ansagan, the remotest and most underdeveloped barangay in the municipality of Tuba to allow people have access to affordable power and  benefits of communication technology.

               

SiocoCariño is a mono-grade school with 151 students and eight teachers, while Piminggan Elementary School has 107 grade school students and eight teachers. In the previous school year, Piminggan opened its doors to accommodate the first batch of about 38 high school students.

For the past school years (2009-2011), both schools have been achieving an average of 62.5% in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

“The location of the schools is already a challenge for the students. The lack of power/electricity to run basic audio-visual equipment such as computer, radio, and television further impeded effective learning of the students who wanted to acquire descent basic education,” Ricafort said.

“The eagerness to learn is there, commented Piminggan Elementary School Teacher-in-Charge Remy Dum-ao. “That is why we need all the support that we can get from both the private sector and the local government,” she added.

As part of the overall goal to bring ‘light’ to the education of students in far-flung sitios in its host municipalities, Jun Diso, head of Philex’s community relations department, noted that Philex Mining would continue bringing electricity to other neighboring schools as well to allow the present and future generations to be able to cope up with the rapid changes in technology and for them to be productive in the future once they are able to acquire descent and formal education to help uplift the living condition of their respective families.

“The School Electrification – Solar Power Energy Project aims to enhance and upgrade the quality of teaching, thus improve the knowledge and understanding of students through audio-visual learning,” Disosaid.

He said the project involves the installation of a portable solar photovoltaic system with complete accessories and materials such as solar panels, control and inverter circuits, battery, lamps, and others. Once installed, the electrification system will be able to illuminate 15 classrooms – eight rooms in SiocoCariño and seven in Piminggan and run audio-visuals of teachers for a better learning environment in both schools.

“We are in the process of purchasing all the accessories, equipment, and materials for this project. The target is to complete the installation and the turnover of the project to the beneficiaries early this month,” said Diso.

The project is supported by the School Improvement Plan (SIP) conducted by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) last year and was deemed a priority in the company’s Social Development Management Plan (SDMP) for 2012.

The mining firm has also contributed to the concreting of the 38-kilometer farm-to-market roads leading to Ansagan and the promotion of a 100-hectare eco-tourism area for cave exploration or spelunking, trekking, or pure nature tripping.