ACEN’s Guimaras Wind Farm supports schools, gearing up for face-to-face learning 

ACEN, Ayala’s listed energy platform, through its 54 MW Guimaras Wind (GWC) project located in San Lorenzo, Guimaras, continues to respond to the needs of teachers and learners alike by aiding in the preparations needed for the new normal in education.

The wind farm supplied over 100 schools across the Province of Guimaras with gadgets, reams of paper, and hygiene kits earlier this year.

GWC recently handed Android tablets and 115 pre-loaded Globe WiFi modems to the Department of Education-Division of Guimaras.

This is the latest in a series of initiatives to better equip GWC’s schools to provide quality education for its communities, especially after two years of disrupted learning.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to help the community here in Guimaras rebuild their lives as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel where learning is concerned,” said Gabino Ramon Mejia, ACEN’s Executive Director and Head of Plant Operations. “With this contribution, we hope to help our students keep safe and well, and bolster the quality of education in the local schools as we move into the new normal.”

“This is just one of many initiatives in our continuing engagement with local schools in the Province of Guimaras,” shared GWC’s Stakeholder Management Officer Angelo Al Garganta. “It’s important that we do our part to help learners find their footing after they’ve endured two years without face-to-face classes. By equipping schools with the right tools, we are confident that students will be fully capable to accelerate their academic progress and thrive in the post-pandemic world.”

Earlier this year, GWC turned over 300 reams of bond paper to the province’s Schools Division Office, which were equitably distributed to the schools to assist in the printing of modules for distance learning.

Then, in late 2021, GWC donated “Ayala EduCare packs,” health and hygiene kits for students to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Each pack provided vitamins, alcohol, soap, washable face masks, and disposable face masks, among others.

ACEN’s Visayas plants continue to anticipate the needs of students and teachers in their host communities.

Earlier in March, ACEN’s 80 MW IsalaSol solar farm in Negros Occidental donated 50 boxes of face masks and a few gallons of alcohol to Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School to assist in the preparation for face-to-face classes.

“Schools Division Office Guimaras is privileged to have stakeholders who are very supportive to the education of Guimarasnon learners,” remarked Dr. Ma. Roselyn J. Palcat, CESO VI, Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd. “Despite the current situation, our partners, who are also burdened by the pandemic, are not tired of sharing what they have.

Indeed, in Guimaras we are upholding the culture of shared responsibility in educating our learners as seen in the dynamic involvement of private sectors, non-government organizations, local government units, provincial government, and the entire community people.”