CEBU, Philippines — At least P1.2 million worth of solar power equipment and tools were donated by a Cebu-based energy company to the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School (MCCNHS).
Vivant Corporation donated the equipment, which includes solar panels and batteries, to help the school in its technical vocational program for senior high school students.
Vivant corporate communications assistant vice president Shem Jose Garcia led the turnover of the equipment to the school officials last week. Garcia, who is also the executive director of Vivant Foundation, said it is the company’s way to help promote renewal energy.
"We also feel that having local populations educated in solar technology will promote the use of renewable energy to address our country's growing demand for energy," Garcia said.
Vivant Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of Vivant Corporation.
Garcia said the foundation has been going around the country to donate solar equipment, especially in far-flung areas. The foundation has partnered with the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education in designing the Electric Installation and Maintenance (EIM) curriculum for senior high students.
The foundation believes that integrating the solar power and maintenance in EIM to senior high school students empowers the next generation in the field of technology and that it also ensures the future of solar-powered schools.
Garcia said the equipment it donated can help MCCNHS to offer the solar power installation and maintenance course to senior high school students enrolled for the school year 2018-2019. At present the MCCNHS have 4,000 students, 90 of them are enrolled in EIM program.
Garcia noted that some solar electrification projects in the country were not sustained because most of them lack education on how to maintain or repair the solar equipment. The MCCNHS and the Bantayan National High School (BNHS) are the first schools in the country to offer a solar power component into the EIM course in senior high school.
The foundation also focuses on improving the quality of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand- related education and technical vocation in public schools. (FREEMAN)