SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group, together with Maxeon Solar Technologies, recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas through the Sinag Schools program.
SM Foundation and Maxeon Solar Technologies formally held the community
launch of the Sinag Schools Program at Lemery Pilot Elementary School in
Batangas
This
social good collaboration between SMFI and Maxeon aims to provide clean and
renewable energy to schools in grassroot communities by installing solar panels
on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses.
In
addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change
in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to
enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the
need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental
impacts.
“Through
this program, we want to power up the learning and development of young people.
We want to help teach young people about solar energy, about renewable energy.
We want to power up the next generation to help save our planet,” Maxeon Fab4
General Manager Glenn Everett said.
The
SM school building at the LPES, which was donated by SMFI in partnership with
SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) in 2017, now boasts 21 solar panels—estimated to
produce 6510 watt-p. With the savings on electricity, the school may realign
their budget to more efforts and other innovations that will give the students
an environment more conducive to learning.
Through the Sinag Schools program, SMFI and Maxeon installed 21 solar
panels— estimated to produce 6510 watt-p—on an SM school building in Batangas.
It
takes a village to raise a child
SMFI
executive director Debbie Sy underscored the importance of collective efforts
in advancing the learning experience of every student in the country: “We
believe that collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good in
addressing societal challenges. CSR partnerships can create solutions that
improve society by fostering learning, promoting innovation and gaining access
to new technologies, such as the Sinag schools program. CSR collaboration can
pool resources, both financial and human resources - between multiple
organizations which can amplify social good impact.”
“The establishment of an ever-evolving CSR strategy and
partnerships will help companies and non-government organizations in developing
and implementing crucial social good programs over decades while having
procedures in place that integrate social and environmental priorities into CSR
core strategy – all in close collaboration with stakeholders,” she further
added.
Moreover,
Everett mentioned how SMFI and Maxeon share the similar set of values and
interest when it comes to helping Filipino learners: “We have this concept of
powering positive change in the world. We are happy to be working together with
SM Foundation to power up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.”
“Individually,
we can do so much. But together we can do actually more. For us to bring our
solar technology and SMFI to bring in their schools, these things are much better
together than they would be apart,” he concluded.
Spreading
social good all the way
SM
Foundation made sure to truly touch the lives of the learners and teachers of
LPES as it donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags with school supplies, and more
than 160 pcs brand new kinder and elementary books to further promote the love
for reading among the students. Clothing items for parents were also
distributed.
SM Supermalls employee volunteers led the distribution of donations from
SM Foundation to the students of Lemery Pilot Elementary School
For
more information about this initiative, follow SM Foundation on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube: @SMFoundationInc.
Maxeon
is headquartered in Singapore. The company designs, manufactures, and
sells Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels. Maxeon has sales operations in
more than 100 countries, operating under the SunPower brand in certain
countries outside the United States. Maxeon is a leader in solar
innovation with products that span the global rooftop and solar power plant
markets through a network of more than 1,700 trusted partners and distributors.
A pioneer in sustainable solar manufacturing, Maxeon leverages a +35-year
history in the solar industry and numerous awards for its technology.
SM
Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of
DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. This social good initiative aims to promote
quality public education by building classrooms nationwide. To date, it has
turned over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities.
Comments
Post a Comment