18 May, MANILA, Phils.--AboitizPower (PSE ticker symbol: AP) through wholly owned subsidiary AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI) and in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, has forged a partnership with the Hapinoy Community Store Program, as represented by its managing company MicroVentures Inc. (MVI), that is aimed to energize households in off-grid communities. This goal will be met by utilizing and installing innovative Solar Lamp Lease-to-Own Models in Laguna, where AboitizPower's geothermal plant facilities are located.

Under the signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) , AboitizPower and the Aboitiz Foundation will provide the seed fund for the implementation of the rural electrification pilot program for six months upon signing of the agreement. The research project will be used to develop a sustainable business model that can be scalable to other underserved areas.

Hapinoy, as the recipient of the seed fund, will act as the project lead and coordinator between AboitizPower, the Foundation and their partner in the implementation, Center for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Aboitiz Foundation President Jon Ramon Aboitiz said the partnership's objective is to conduct research, develop and pilot a sustainable model for bringing energy solutions to marginalized areas with limited or no access to formal grid power.

"This agreement reflects the Aboitiz Group's continuing commitment to empower communities that we serve," Aboitiz said.

Aboitiz signed the MOA together with APRI SVP-Corporate Services Juan Felipe Alfonso, MVI President Mark Ruiz, and Micro Ventures Foundation, Inc. President Bam Aquino IV.

“This project will help us develop an innovative and sustainable model in bringing solar energy solutions that we wish to replicate across the Hapinoy Store network,” said Ruiz.
 
MVI’s Hapinoy Store will be equipped with a solar charging panel, by which all the solar lamps can be charged and rented out on a daily basis to neighboring households.

“We are extremely excited about Hapinoy's partnership with AboitizPower and Aboitiz Foundation that will bring essential light to poor communities in the countryside,” said Aquino.

Solar electrification for remote communities is part of the sustainability advocacy of the Aboitiz Group that seeks to promote and advocate the use of renewable energy. The solar technology will light up rural areas, and improve their general well-being, and in consequence achieve a balance of people, profit and planet. 

About AboitizPower
AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services.  It is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy in the Philippines with several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country. The company owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For more details, please visit: www.aboitizpower.com and www.cleanergy.com.ph

About The Aboitiz Foundation
The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the concrete manifestation of the Aboitiz Group’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.  Guided by its mission, Helping People Help Themselves, the Foundation addresses social and economic development needs of less privileged communities and members of society in areas where Aboitiz companies operate.  The Foundation acts primarily through chosen programs in education, enterprise development, primary health and child care, and the environment, in order to improve the quality of life of its beneficiaries.  For more details, please visit: www.aboitizfoundation.org.

About Hapinoy Store Program and MicroVentures Incorporated (MVI)
The Hapinoy Store Program partners with sari-sari stores (sari-sari is the Filipino word meaning various kinds), small neighborhood stores that sell daily needs, mostly basic commodities. Hapinoy is managed by MicroVentures Incorporated (MVI). MVI aspires to be the leading partners of micro entrepreneurs in the Philippines. In so doing, MVI leverages micro financing as a powerful tool to empower socially and economically challenged families. For more details, please visit: http://www.hapinoy.com/