Powering the Future: How PBBM’s Green Light Sparked Hope in a Remote Agusan del Norte Tribe

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Sitio Tagpangi, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte — June 21, 2025. In a small, isolated village carved deep into the mountains of Mindanao, hope finally arrived — not by road, but by the spark of solar power and the glow of connectivity.

For the first time, the classrooms of Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School, nestled in the ancestral lands of the Higaonon tribe, lit up with electric light and satellite internet — a revolutionary moment under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s landmark Last Mile Electrification Program.

This transformative initiative — a ₱1.295-billion collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) — aims to energize the country’s most isolated schools, ensuring no Filipino learner is left in the dark.

And in Sitio Tagpangi, the darkness was real.

From Shadows to Screens

For years, students here studied under flickering candles and kerosene lamps, while teachers struggled with limited resources and no access to digital tools. The isolation wasn’t just geographical — it was educational, economic, and deeply social. But all that changed on June 19, 2025, when government officials arrived bearing not just infrastructure, but the promise of inclusion.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, braving river crossings and treacherous mountain roads, led the historic energization mission. Under the beating sun and amidst the cheers of the Higaonon community, the school was switched on — literally and figuratively — powered by solar energy and connected to the world via Starlink satellite internet.

“This is an IP school. They got electricity last Monday, thanks to the quick work of NEA and DOE,” Angara proudly announced during a live video call with President Marcos Jr., who joined from Quezon City. “This is just the beginning. We are ready to roll out to the rest.”

The Department’s bold vision is to electrify 295 remote public schools across the country within the year. With this pilot launch, the dream has become a tangible reality.

A President’s Promise

During the virtual engagement, President Marcos Jr. encouraged the young learners with an inspiring message:

“Maganda yung bago ninyong laruan. Gamitin niyo nang husto ‘yan. Marami kayong matututunan. Pararamihin pa natin ito—especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.”

True to his administration’s commitment to inclusive education, the President vowed to ensure that no child, regardless of where they live, is left behind in the digital era.

Community Empowerment Beyond the Classroom

Agusan del Norte Governor Angelica Amante, visibly moved, highlighted the impact on the Higaonon tribe:

“Ngayon po, very excited na silang pumasok. Hindi katulad dati na ayaw nila pumasok.”

The electrification goes beyond school grounds. Nearby homes are also benefiting from the newly installed solar power system, thanks to the support of ANECO (Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.), which partnered with NEA on implementation.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda reaffirmed the urgency of their mission:

“I committed to Sec. Sonny that all 295 Last Mile Schools will be covered and rolled out within the year.”

It was a promise rooted in equity — to bridge the gap between students in urban hubs and those tucked away in the remotest corners of the archipelago.

A Spark That Ignites Dreams

In Sitio Tagpangi, light now dances on blackboards where shadows once reigned. Students who once hesitated to go to school now rush in with anticipation. For them, electricity isn’t just power — it’s opportunity. It’s access to information, to modern tools, and to a broader world that had long felt out of reach.

The story of Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School is now a beacon — proof that real change doesn’t start in the corridors of power but in the flicker of a classroom light, the hum of a tablet booting up, and the joyful gasp of a child seeing the world beyond the mountains for the very first time.

As the electrification program powers forward, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a project—it’s a revolution of hope, inclusion, and dignity.

The light has been turned on. The future has begun.

Toxic Paints Still on the Shelves: EcoWaste Coalition Raises Alarm Over Hazardous Thai Spray Paints as National Poison Prevention Week Begins

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a shocking revelation that puts public health in the crosshairs, the EcoWaste Coalition has exposed the ongoing sale of lead-laced spray paints from Thailand in defiance of a national law that was supposed to protect the Filipino people from this silent poison. As the country kicks off National Poison Prevention Week, the watchdog group calls on government agencies to step up and crack down before more lives are put at risk.

The product at the heart of the controversy? Nikko Spray All-Purpose Quick Drying High Gloss Acrylic — a brand already flagged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — yet continues to make its toxic rounds on local store shelves, from Pasay to Quezon City.

A Poison Hiding in Plain Sight

EcoWaste Coalition, known for its relentless advocacy for lead-safe environments, recently purchased eight variants of Nikko Spray Paint from different hardware stores. Using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, they detected dangerously high lead content in several samples:

Dark Green – 780 ppm

Orange Red – 4,092 ppm

Leaf Green – 5,887 ppm

These levels are far above the 90 parts per million (ppm) legal limit mandated by Philippine law — a threshold recognized globally as the most protective standard for lead in paints.

Even more alarming, previous laboratory tests commissioned by EcoWaste uncovered even higher concentrations in other Nikko variants, such as:

Medium Yellow – a shocking 52,200 ppm

Yellow – 19,800 ppm

Apple Green – 15,800 ppm

Such figures paint a disturbing picture of complacency and regulatory failure.

A Ban That Exists Only on Paper?

Despite the Chemical Control Order of 2013, which banned the use of lead in paint and enforced phase-out deadlines by 2016 and 2019 for decorative and industrial paints respectively, enforcement remains woefully lacking. Even after FDA advisories in 2023 and 2024 flagged specific Nikko variants as non-compliant and hazardous, these paints are still being sold — openly and without penalty.

Adding insult to injury, product labels fail to mention any lead content warnings, depriving consumers of their right to make informed choices. “While some precautionary text exists, there’s no acknowledgment of the extreme risks posed by lead exposure,” noted EcoWaste.

A Chemical That Damages for Life

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is a “cumulative toxicant” that wreaks havoc on nearly every system in the human body — and young children bear the brunt of its damage. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in children.

In adults, it is linked to high blood pressure, kidney failure, and reproductive issues. For pregnant women, the dangers are even more pronounced: miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and low birth weight are among the devastating consequences.

Crucially, there is no known safe level of lead exposure — zero is the only acceptable number.

Who Will Stop the Poison?

As National Poison Prevention Week (June 22–28) is observed under Presidential Proclamation No. 1777, EcoWaste Coalition is urging a whole-of-government response. Led by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology (PSCOT), and the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC), the week should not merely be symbolic — it must be catalytic.

EcoWaste is demanding:

Stricter customs screening for imported paints

On-ground enforcement at retail outlets

Sanctions against violators, including importers and sellers

Public education about the dangers of lead-containing products

In a joint effort with the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and the Philippine Paint and Coatings Association, Inc. (PCCAI), EcoWaste has also released a “Public Notice on Lead-Containing Paints” aimed at arming consumers with vital information. (Access it here: ecowastecoalition.org/leadspraypaints)

A Global Example, Now Tarnished?

Ironically, the very same regulation that is being ignored today earned the Future Policy Award in 2021, recognizing the Philippines as a global leader in eliminating lead in paints. That honor now stands in sharp contrast to the grim reality on the ground.

“This is not just a regulatory lapse. This is a betrayal of public trust,” said an EcoWaste representative. “We have the law. We have the proof. What we don’t have is the willpower — and it’s costing lives.”

Conclusion: Wake Up Before It’s Too Late

As Filipinos mark another Poison Prevention Week, the haunting presence of toxic Thai spray paints on local shelves is a wake-up call to government regulators, importers, and consumers alike. The danger is not theoretical — it’s real, present, and deadly.

Until these poisons are pulled from our stores and our homes, the lead paint ban remains not a shield, but a broken promise.

Let us not wait for another tragedy to finally enforce what should have already been a done deal. The health of our children — and of generations to come — depends on it.

For updates and warnings on toxic consumer products, follow the EcoWaste Coalition’s alerts or visit: ecowastecoalition.org.

Healing While Learning: Marcos Admin Brings Free Health Services to Public Schools with CLASS+ Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the heart of Quezon City, classrooms at Esteban Abada Elementary School buzzed with more than just the excitement of a new academic year. Alongside books and blackboards, students were greeted by doctors and nurses, stethoscopes in hand—not to teach, but to heal.

This wasn’t just another school day. It marked the powerful launch of CLASS+ (Clinics for Learners’ Access to School-health Services Plus)—a nationwide initiative driven by the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to transform every public school into a gateway for accessible healthcare.

A Classroom Revolution in Health

Gone are the days when health services were a distant luxury for many Filipino students and educators. With CLASS+, the government is rewriting the narrative—turning ordinary school clinics into lifelines of free, quality healthcare for learners and teachers alike. The program is a joint effort between the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), grounded in the President’s clear directive: put the health and well-being of Filipino youth front and center.

During the pilot rollout at Esteban Abada ES alone, over 400 students and teachers received free medical consultations, basic laboratory tests, and preventive care through PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package. Mobile PhilHealth registration booths were also on-site, ensuring that no learner would be left behind for lack of enrollment.

“Binibigyang-prioridad talaga ni Pangulong Marcos ang edukasyon at kalusugan ng mga mag-aaral,” emphasized Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “Ngayon, magkatuwang ang DepEd, DOH, PhilHealth, at mga LGU sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong pangkalusugan ngayong school opening week. Sama-sama tayong kumikilos para sa kabutihan ng ating mga anak at mga guro.”

CLASS+ in Action: Care That Comes to the Classroom

At the heart of CLASS+ lies a simple but game-changing idea: healthcare should go where the learners are. Under this new framework, school clinics now serve as access points for PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package. Students and school staff can now benefit from:

General health consultations

Diagnostic and basic laboratory tests

Free essential medicines

Health counseling

Referral to partner hospitals or Konsulta providers when needed

And this is only the beginning.

Building a Healthier Learning Environment

CLASS+ also expands on DepEd’s Learners’ Health Assessment and Screening (LHAS) program under the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) banner. Rolling out in all public schools this academic year, LHAS ensures that every Kindergarten to Grade 12 student receives:

General physical examinations

Nutritional assessments (tracking height, weight, and nutritional status)

Oral health check-ups

Mental health screenings

These assessments are not only about identifying health concerns early—they are strategic tools to guide vital support programs, like school-based feeding and mental health interventions. The initiative began with Brigada Eskwela, where schools started building master lists of students and checking their PhilHealth registration status.

Starting July, physical exams and oral health screenings will begin, in alignment with One Health Week. Meanwhile, mental health screening—a growing priority for DepEd—will run from August to December, using globally recognized tools like the CARS (Children and Adolescents Risk Screener) and Rapid HEEADSSS assessments tailored for adolescents aged 10–19.

A Data-Driven, Compassion-Fueled Future

Looking beyond the rollout, DepEd and PhilHealth are developing a School Health Package informed by the national health data gathered through CLASS+ and LHAS. This will shape a customized benefit package for school clinics, enabling them to deliver sustainable, long-term primary care that evolves with the needs of learners and teachers.

The vision is clear: an education system where no child’s learning is hindered by untreated illness, and no teacher’s dedication is compromised by a lack of medical support.

More Than Medicine—It’s a Movement

While CLASS+ may be framed in policies and partnerships, its true power lies in the quiet, human victories it sparks every day. A mother sleeping better, knowing her child’s cough was finally checked. A student seeing clearly after a free eye exam. A teacher comforted by timely mental health support.

These are the stories behind the statistics—proof that the government’s promise of a whole-of-government approach to education and health is more than rhetoric. It’s real, it’s working, and it’s changing lives.

Through CLASS+, the Marcos administration isn’t just teaching the next generation—it’s making sure they’re strong, healthy, and ready to learn.

Because every Filipino child deserves not just a classroom, but a future—with good health as their foundation.