Through the Sinag Schools initiative, the SM Foundation (SMFI), the SM group’s corporate social responsibility division, and Maxeon Solar Technologies recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas.

This socially beneficial partnership between SMFI and Maxeon intends to install solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses, in order to deliver clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroots areas.

In addition to the solar panel installation, which attempts to transform how energy is used in public schools for the better, the initiative also aims to improve student comprehension of energy management and the need to switch to cleaner energy sources with less of an impact on the environment.

SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) and SMFI donated the SM school building at the LPES in 2017, and it presently has 21 solar panels with a total estimated output of 6510 watt-p. The school may reallocate its resources to more initiatives and other innovations that will provide the children with a setting that is more conducive to learning with the money saved on power.

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

In order to further encourage the youngsters’ passion for reading, the SM Foundation donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags filled with school materials, and more than 160 brand-new books for kindergarten and primary school. Additionally, clothing for parents was supplied.

Follow SM Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube at @SMFoundationInc for more details about this effort.

The headquarters of Maxeon are in Singapore. Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels are created, produced, and sold by the business. Maxeon operates sales activities in more than 100 nations, some of which operate under the SunPower brand outside of the United States. With products that cover the global rooftop and solar power plant industries, Maxeon is a leader in solar innovation. It does this through a network of more than 1,700 reliable partners and distributors. Maxeon, a leader in environmentally friendly solar manufacturing, benefits from a +35-year heritage in the sector and multiple accolades for its innovation.

SM Foundation is an active partner in DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program through its school building program. This social welfare initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms across the country. To date, we have handed over over 100 school buildings to grassroots communities.