Ang Pahayagan

MANILA — AboitizPower, through its private limited partnerships GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD), was recently honored by the Department of Education (DepEd) for its steadfast support in uplifting Philippine education, particularly in the province of Bataan.

Recognized during the DepEd Partners’ Appreciation Program on May 8, 2026, the award highlights the enduring impact of the companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. The ceremony, themed “Partnerships that Endure. Reforms that Last,” was attended by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and celebrated stakeholders who have made significant contributions to the success of Filipino learners.

“Our partnership with each one of you is a continuous crossing,” Angara said during his keynote message. “It meets the learner in doubt, the teacher in transition, and the community in need. And with each step, it changes direction.”

“Indeed, education is a shared mission and nation-building begins when we choose to work together,” he added.

For GMEC and GNPD, education is the foundation of a resilient community, and their CSR begins with strengthening the basics of literacy. Through the Eskwelasugan Program, the companies recently conducted an intensive teacher-training session for educators from 15 supported schools across Bataan.

By implementing the Alpabasa literacy method, the initiative ensures that teachers are better equipped to help young students master reading and comprehension, providing them with a stronger start in their academic journeys.

“This recognition is a reminder that when government, communities, and private organizations work together, we can truly change the lives of young Filipinos,” said Joseph Paolo Mendoza, GMEC-GNPD Reputation and Stakeholder Management (RSM) manager.

Beyond the classroom, AboitizPower also worked to close the digital gap in underserved areas through the AuroraPH initiative. In collaboration with the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) and partners like Starlink and Huawei, GMEC and GNPD brought sustainable solar power and high-speed internet connectivity to the Biaan Aeta Integrated School.

This project is a flagship effort to support “last-mile” schools, helping students in even the most remote communities to have access to the technology and energy they need to participate in a modern, digital world. By providing these essential tools, the companies are helping to ensure that no learner is left behind due to geography.

The commitment to Bataan’s youth extends into higher education through a massive investment in the province’s future professionals. GMEC and GNPD have pledged ₱10 million over five years to the “Iskolar ng Bataan” program in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB). This past April, the companies turned over their latest ₱2 million installment to support 200 engineering students at local state universities. When combined with their own long-standing local scholarship program, which has already benefited over 200 students, it is clear that AboitizPower is dedicated to powering the dreams and careers of the next generation of Filipino leaders. (PR)

TOP 📸 : Championing Education. Aboitiz Power Corporation GMEC and GNPD representatives Joseph Paolo Mendoza, RSM Manager (right), and Abigail Jacinto, CSR Program Supervisor (left), pose for a photo with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara during the Department of Education Partners’ Appreciation Program held last May 8, 2026.