Several remote schools in Agusan del Norte are now enjoying access to electricity through solar power technology just in time for the opening of classes.

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara and other local officials trekked and crossed rivers for more than two hours just to reach the far-flung schools in Buenavista town.

One of these schools is the Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Sitio Mapangi, Barangay Simabalan.

Under DepEd’s Energization of Off-Grid School program, in partnership with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the school has been energized through solar power technology, which also provides internet connectivity.

Angara said the program is expected to be implemented in more than 200 schools in the country.

“Ito ang pinaka una sa buong bansa. After this meron pang 290 according to admin. Galing yung budget sa DepEd pero ang mag administer ay ang National Electrification Administration,” Angara said.

“Kaya nitong bigyan ng kuryente ang buong eskwelahan whether 2 classrooms, 4 classrooms, 6 classrooms up to 16 classrooms. Meron kaming module na plug and play na kapag na-identify na namin ang elementary school, dadalhan namin ng set up na ganito at magkakaroon na sila ng kuryente para magkaroon sila ng internet,” NEA Administrator, Antonio Almeda, added.

The local government also expressed gratitude for the initiative.

“Today, we see the collaborative effort dahil maraming agency ang nagtulong-tulong ngayon para mas mapabuti ang lagay ng Datu Saldong Elementary School,” Buenavista Mayor Joselito Roble, said.

DepEd also distributed laptop computers and tablets to the school for student use.

Angara also visited an alternative learning school building that was inaugurated in the town and conducted inspections of several classrooms at Agusan National High School and Doongan Integrated School in Butuan City.

“This morning don tayo tumawid tayo ng dalawang ilog for two hours and after that nag inaugurate tayo ng first alternative learning center diyan sa buenavista din, at ngayon tiningnan natin at ina-assess natin ang mga schools dito at ang mga plano ng city gov’t pinakikinggan natin,” Angara said.