BATAAN— The AboitizPower subsidiaries GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD) signed a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB) to provide scholarships for engineering students. The ceremony took place on April 25, 2025, at the 7th Floor Boardroom of The Bunker, Capitol Compound, Balanga City.

Under the agreement, GMEC and GNPD will provide an educational assistance fund worth P10 million over five years, or P2 million annually starting this April. The fund will support 200 students from Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)—Main Campus and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)- Mariveles.

Present at the signing were AboitizPower officials, led by President and CEO Danel Aboitiz, AboitizPower Transition Business Group (TBG) COO Celso “C3” Caballero, TBG Chief Operating Officer for Operated Assets Ronaldo Ramos, and other company executives. They were joined by Bataan Governor Joet Garcia, Vice Governor Cris Garcia, Mariveles Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion, and additional representatives from the PGB.

Our commitment to education is not new. I’m particularly proud of what they’ve done in AboitizPower – North Luzon, for it has supported more than 200 scholars so far,” said Caballero. “But these aren’t just numbers on a page, these are stories of transformation. We’ve witnessed firsthand the immense pride, the profound impact of investing in education.”

GMEC and GNPD have supported a total of 206 scholars from BPSU and PUP Mariveles, 50 of whom have already graduated. GMEC initiated the scholarship program in 2015, while GNPD joined the partnership in 2023. The recent MOA signing will grant a new batch of 200 recipients in addition to the existing scholars.

The scholarship program falls under GMEC and GNPD’s broader P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. program, specifically aligned with the “E” component, which stands for Elevate Educational opportunities. This initiative is also a part of the province’s expanded “Iskolar ng Bayan” program, which aims to provide opportunities for deserving students to complete their college education. The financial assistance focuses on engineering courses that are vital to the development of infrastructure and technology in Bataan.

“Lubos po ang ating pasasalamat sa AboitizPower sa kanilang walang-sawang pakikipagtulungan sa ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan (We express our deepest gratitude to AboitizPower for their unwavering partnership with our Provincial Government),” said Bataan Governor Joet Garcia. “Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang suporta, mas naaabot po natin ang ating pangarap na magkaroon ng isang matatag, makaya, at maunlad na pamilyang Bataeño—na may sapat na edukasyon bilang pundasyon ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan (Through their support, we are getting closer to our dream of building a strong, capable, and progressive Bataeño family—with quality education as the foundation for a brighter future).”

Current scholar, Rainiel Salandanan of BPSU shared, “Malaking tulong po sa akin yung “Iskolar ng Bataan” kasi natutugunan niya po yung mga tustusin ko since I have a solo parent po. Kaya hindi ko na po kailangan manghingi sa magulang ko, atsaka hindi na po niya kailangan intindihin yung ibang pangangailangan ko (The ‘Iskolar ng Bataan’ program is a big help for me because it supports my expenses, especially since I have a solo parent. I no longer need to ask my parent for money, and they no longer have to worry about my other needs).”

Another scholar, Rebeckha Bandola, added, “Yung pagiging scholar ko po ay nakakatulong sa akin pagdating sa school supplies at allowance ko po sa araw-araw (Being a scholar helps me with my school supplies and my daily allowance).”

AboitizPower is one of the country’s leading companies in the energy sector. Beyond power, it is also active in social development programs such as education. Through its collaboration with the LGU of Bataan, it strengthens its advocacy for inclusive growth and support for the Filipino youth.

May 01, 2025