A mobile, solar-powered electricity system has been installed at Pag-asa Integrated School on Pag-asa Island, as the Department of Energy (DOE) ramps up efforts to bring reliable power to off-grid and geographically isolated communities.

The DOE said the deployment is part of its Mobile Energy System (MES) program, which provides fast, transportable power solutions to areas without stable electricity. The Pag-asa installation is the department’s second MES project in 2025, following an earlier rollout at a school in Balabac, Palawan.

Unlike permanent power facilities, the MES is designed for rapid deployment, allowing electricity to be delivered quickly to remote islands and disaster-affected areas. The system is solar-powered, mounted on a trailer, and equipped with battery storage and a hybrid inverter that can operate in both on-grid and off-grid conditions.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the system directly addresses power disruptions that affect daily life on the island, particularly in schools. “This Mobile Energy System helps make sure no child is left behind,” she said, noting that reliable electricity allows classes and essential services to continue without interruption.

The turnover of the system was led by DOE officials together with representatives from the National Power Corporation, underscoring coordination among government agencies involved in off-grid electrification.

Beyond power supply, the DOE said the MES program supports wider goals such as disaster preparedness, energy access expansion, and reduced reliance on imported fuel, especially in island communities that are difficult to serve through conventional infrastructure.

During the visit, the DOE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also distributed lanterns made by TESDA training centers to the local community, which the department said symbolized national support for residents of the island.

Pag-asa Island, under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan, hosts a permanent civilian population and basic government services, which makes stable electricity critical to everyday operations in the area.

As the DOE expands the use of mobile power systems, how far can rapid-deployment solutions go in closing electricity gaps in the country’s most remote communities?

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