Aboitiz Foods powers up last-mile indigenous school in Nueva Ecija

Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija — As students begin a new school year, a remote indigenous school is gaining access to improved learning facilities, sustainable energy, and digital connectivity through Aboitiz Foods’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, which supports Aboitiz Foundation’s AuroraPH project.

On June 11, 2026, Mabaldog Elementary School (ES) officially received a 6kWp off-grid solar power system, Starlink internet connectivity, digital learning tools, classroom refurbishment, industrial fans, and school supplies.

Implemented through the collaboration among Aboitiz Foods’ subsidiary Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico), Aboitiz Foundation, AboitizPower, the Department of Education (DepEd), the local government of Gabaldon, and technical partners, the AuroraPH project helped bridge gaps in access to electricity, connectivity, and the vital learning resources needed to nourish the potential of last-mile students.

Aboitiz Foods CSR Specialist Pinky Christine Baroman, who oversaw the project implementation, noted that the initiative serves as a powerful model for how strategic collaboration can directly dismantle educational inequalities.

Reflecting on the collective effort of the community, Baroman remarked, “It takes a village to raise a child. And every child, every student here at Mabaldog Elementary School, deserves equal opportunity with students in the city. Bringing technology closer to last-mile schools bridges that gap and allows underserved students to experience the same modernized way of learning.”

Through Aboitiz Foods’ support, the expanded solar installation provides a more reliable source of electricity, allowing the school to maximize the use of digital learning tools, charge devices, and improve everyday teaching and learning conditions. The industrial fans help create a cooler, more conducive learning environment, while the teachers’ office now has air conditioning, providing them with comfort as they plan lessons during their stay on campus.

True to its name—symbolizing a new dawn—AuroraPH helps open doors to new possibilities for students and teachers in last-mile communities.  With access to reliable power, internet connectivity, and digital learning resources, schools are better equipped to prepare learners for the future. 

Read the full feature story.

FAQs

1. What is the AuroraPH project, and what is its main goal?

AuroraPH is Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship program that provides sustainable connectivity and learning solutions to advance business and communities. It aims to bridge the educational and digital divide by bringing renewable energy, internet connectivity, and digital learning resources to 300 last-mile schools nationwide — communities that are often hours away from the nearest town center and beyond reach of the power grid.

2. How did Aboitiz Foods support Mabaldog Elementary School through AuroraPH?

Aboitiz Foods, together with its partners, provided a 6kWp off-grid solar power system and high-speed Starlink satellite internet. Additionally, the initiative provided industrial fans, digital learning resources, and classroom refurbishment.

3. What organizations did Aboitiz Foods partner with for the AuroraPH in Mabaldog ES?

Embodying its brand promise Together We Nourish the Future, Aboitiz Foods partnered with Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz Power, Starlink, the Department of Education, the local government of Gabaldon, and the community of Mabaldog to make this project possible.