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.
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
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.
SM Foundation and Maxeon Solar Technologies formally held the community
launch of the Sinag Schools Program at Lemery Pilot Elementary School 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.
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