COVID-19 Response Corporate Social Responsibility San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. Sustainability

SacaSun supports DepEd's modified back-to-school programs

June 15, 2019

AboitizPower subsidiary San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. (SacaSun) has found a way to continue supporting the government’s major annual back-to-school programs despite the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.Instead of gathering volunteers to repaint chairs and clean up school grounds for the yearly Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education (DepEd) like it has in the past, SacaSun this year is set to donate hygiene kits to help learning centers and students within its host community combat the pandemic.

“The San Carlos City Schools Division Office is so privileged to have partnered with Aboitiz Foundation and SacaSun for a number of years already. For now, we are challenged by this contagion but we are so happy to receive essential items for our public schools and learners,” San Carlos Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet said during the virtual kick-off of the 2020 Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) programs in Western Visayas on June 1.

Bagonbon National High School (extension), Don Juan Ledesma Elementary School, Mag-amihan Elementary School, and Talave Elementary School in Barangay Punao, San Carlos City will each receive thermal scanners and hand sanitizers.Meanwhile, a total of 735 students from all four schools will get a kit containing protective masks, alcohol disinfectant, and hand soap.

On June 1, Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced modifications to this year’s BE and OBE programs in the DepEd memorandum no. 53 s. 2020, relative to the country’s current COVID-19 situation.Bannering the theme “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungod sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan,” the joint implementation of BE and OBE will be from June 1 to August 29, 2020.

This year’s back-to-school programs also feature the slogan “Bayanihan sa Paaralan,” which highlights sustainable and safe living through addressing required health standards and social issues at home, in school, and the community in the context of the global pandemic.

Public schools and some private institutions are set to formally open classes on August 24, despite uncertainties brought about by the ongoing health crisis.

DepEd announced on Monday, June 8, that it is postponing face-to-face classes in the absence of a vaccine and will instead prepare for a distance learning approach.

SacaSun operates the 59-MW utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant located in San Carlos, Negros Occidental. It is committed to co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainable communities through its various corporate social responsibility programs, community sponsorships, and ER 1-94 projects.