Electricity bring modern education to tribal community in Bukidnon
SAN FERNANDO, BUKIDNON, Philippines — Over 300 indigenous learners in a remote village here now have access to modern education after officials energized the Salumayag Tigwahanon Integrated School under the national government’s Last Mile Schools Electrification Program on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda led the ceremonial switch-on in Sitio Salumayag, Barangay Halapitan, alongside executives from the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FIBECO), educators, students, and local Tigwahanon tribal elders.
The energization directly benefits 315 elementary and high school Lumad students, bridging a long-standing digital and educational divide in one of the province’s most geographically isolated areas.
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READ: PH needs up to P27B to energize over 100K households
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The Last Mile Schools Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd) and NEA that brings basic utilities, infrastructure, and modern learning tools to public schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
Before electrification, off-grid schools in mountainous communities like San Fernando relied on limited daytime lighting, which prevented the use of computers, audio-visual aids, and digital equipment essential to modern curricula.
READ: DepEd, NEA to bring electricity to ‘last mile’ schools
Local school officials emphasized that having clean and reliable electricity allows teachers to utilize television screens, computers, and printing equipment, while creating a brighter and more conducive environment for indigenous youth.
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The municipality of San Fernando is home to the Tigwahanon and Matigsalug Manobo tribes.
Tribal chieftains welcomed the project, stating that empowering IPs classrooms with electricity ensures that indigenous youth can keep pace with national academic standards without losing connection to their ancestral land. /cb
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