TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato — For years, learning at Tokaymal Elementary School meant making the best of limited resources. Nestled in the off-grid Indigenous community of Barangay Tablu, Tampakan, the school had no access to electricity, making it difficult for teachers to use digital learning tools and leaving students disconnected from the opportunities of modern education.
Today, that reality is changing.
A newly installed hybrid solar power system donated by Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) is bringing renewed hope to the school’s 52 Indigenous Peoples (IP) learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6 and its six teachers.
For School Head Archie M. Labado, the project is about more than simply providing electricity—it is about giving children in a remote community the same learning opportunities enjoyed by students in more connected areas.
“We are very thankful that Tokaymal Elementary School received this hybrid solar power system from SMI,” Labado said.
“Our learners will now be able to use electricity to access the internet and benefit from modern educational technologies. This will greatly enhance their learning experience and help prepare them for today’s digital world, he added.”
The availability of reliable electricity is expected to transform the school’s learning environment, enabling teachers to use digital instructional materials, operate essential classroom equipment, and introduce students to online educational resources—tools that were previously beyond their reach.
“Tokaymal is an off-grid school, so this solar power system is truly valuable to us,” Labado added. “It will make a real difference in the education of our children and help us provide them with better learning opportunities.”
The hybrid solar power system is one of several community development initiatives undertaken by SMI in and around the Tampakan Project area. Beyond infrastructure support, the company has helped build classrooms and other school facilities while providing educational and financial assistance to students in host and neighboring communities through its annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).
SMI’s investments in education reflect its broader commitment to responsible mining and inclusive development, ensuring that host communities—particularly Indigenous Peoples—benefit from sustainable, long-term opportunities.
By improving access to quality education and modern learning resources, the company aims to help nurture the next generation of leaders who will contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.
For the children of Tokaymal Elementary School, the arrival of electricity is more than a technological upgrade. It is the beginning of new possibilities—where every lesson is brighter, every classroom is more connected, and every child has a greater chance to learn, dream, and succeed. (30)
