Dumaguete City: The Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the country's leading geothermal power producer, has donated 36 brand-new laptops worth more than PHP 1 million to 12 public schools in the upland barangays of Valencia, Negros Oriental to enhance digital learning and classroom instruction.
According to Philippines News Agency, the donation was formally turned over by EDC-Negros Facility head Noel Tan and Negros Corporate Relations head Erwin Magallanes to representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) Valencia District, including principals and teachers from the beneficiary schools, on Wednesday.
Each school received three laptops and three tree bags. The recipient schools include Nasuji Elementary School, Puhagan Elementary School, Malaunay Elementary School, Dungga Primary School, Caidiocan Elementary School, Pulangbato Elementary School, Badiang Elementary School, Palinpinon Elementary School, Sagbang Elementary School, Vicente I. Villa Memorial School, Liptong Elementary School, and Malabo Elementary School. Some of these schools are located in barangays that host EDC's geothermal power facilities in the province.
Dr. Neri Ojastro, DepEd-Negros Oriental Division of Schools superintendent, expressed gratitude to the EDC, indicating that the laptops would significantly enhance students' learning skills. Ojastro emphasized the importance of developing learners to become productive community members, stating, "Our ultimate goal in developing our learners is to make them productive people of the community in the region and the school is the future community."
EDC's Magallanes highlighted that education remains a core advocacy program of the company. He noted, "It is better to provide new laptops, especially since older versions can no longer support modern applications." Tan, meanwhile, expressed hope that the laptops would ignite students' curiosity in science and renewable energy, aiming to inspire future scientists and engineers who may one day work with EDC.
Tan also remarked, "May these laptops enable you to develop innovative teaching methods and use digital tools to bridge educational gaps." A memorandum of agreement was signed during the turnover ceremony, held at a local hotel in Dumaguete City, solidifying the commitment to educational advancement.
Magallanes mentioned that 60 laptops have been earmarked for schools across the Negros Island Region, with 24 more units scheduled for delivery next week to partner schools in Negros Occidental.
