ACEN donates 2 school buildings to address classroom shortage in Palauig, Zambales

26 March 2024 – ACEN, through its Palauig Solar projects, demonstrated its unwavering support to education and community development after donating a total of ₱29 million to fund the construction of 14 classrooms in Rofulo M. Landa High School – extension campus in Brgy. Bulawen, Palauig, Zambales.

ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia joined Zambales governor Jun Ebdane, Palauig mayor Billy Aceron, and Botolan mayor Omar Ebdane during the recent turnover ceremony of a newly constructed building, which is composed of eight classrooms. The first building, comprising of six classrooms, was previously turned over in 2022. Both buildings were donated by ACEN to the Palauig local government.

The expansion sees an increase in classroom capacity to accommodate up to 800 students, helping address classroom shortage in Zambales. Currently, the RMLHS extension campus has only 290 enrolled students from Grades 7 to 10.

Prior to the construction of the RMLHS – extension campus, high school students from Brgy. Bulawen had to travel to Iba town or to other high schools in Palauig. ACEN, in partnership with the local government of Palauig, heeded the call for additional classrooms and constructed the first building in the RMLHS’ extension campus in 2022.

In early 2023, ACEN began its expansion efforts to construct the 300 MW Palauig Solar 2 farm. Together with Palauig Solar 1, ACEN’s solar developments in Palauig are expected to power up to 139,000 homes and avoid 350,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Beyond ACEN’s push for renewables, the company is committed to filling in the gap of different touch points in society. In Palauig, ACEN saw the need of its host community for an educational institution that would cater to the growing student population in the area. Aligned with the government’s goal to address classroom shortage, the company collaborated with the Palauig local government to address that. The school buildings signify the tangible steps that ACEN is making to providing a better future for its communities.

ACEN’s proactive efforts towards nation-building were also evident in the creation of green jobs for approximately 2,000 locals since the construction of Palauig Solar 1 in 2020.