DepEd, NEA to Bring Electricity to Last Mile Schools

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a landmark move to bridge the educational divide in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) have formalized a partnership to electrify "Last Mile Schools" (LMS) situated in the nation's most remote and underserved areas. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s vision of inclusive education and sustainable development.

Last Mile Schools are defined by DepEd as educational institutions located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, often lacking basic infrastructure, including reliable electricity. The absence of power in these schools has long been a barrier to quality education, limiting access to modern learning tools and resources.

The collaboration between DepEd and NEA aims to provide these schools with dependable electricity, primarily through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This approach not only ensures a steady power supply but also promotes the use of renewable energy, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Funding for the project is expected to come from various sources, including government allocations, grants, and other financial mechanisms. Additional support may be garnered from electric cooperatives, local government units, and private-sector partnerships, fostering a collaborative effort to uplift the nation's educational framework.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, stating, "This moment reflects a shared vision and a unified effort to address one of the most vital aspects of development—ensuring that every child, no matter how remote their location, has access to the transformative power of modern education."

The significance of leadership in driving progress was also highlighted by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, who expressed enthusiasm for the presence of key energy sector leaders in this endeavor. He remarked, "Bringing all of you together—our lawmakers and leaders in the energy sector—in the same room, working towards a common goal of helping our schools, is a tremendous step forward."

This partnership is a continuation of NEA's longstanding commitment to rural electrification. Established in 1969, NEA has been at the forefront of projects supporting the Rural Electrification Program, collaborating with electric cooperatives to improve the lives of Filipinos by ensuring access to electricity.

The impact of electrification on education is profound. A study analyzing the experiences of nine rural public schools in the Philippines, beneficiaries of a solar electrification program, found significant improvements in educational outcomes following the introduction of reliable power sources. The availability of electricity enabled extended study hours, enhanced teaching methods through the use of electronic devices, and improved overall school operations. 

Moreover, initiatives like the Solar Village Foundation's project to provide solar-powered printers to isolated schools have demonstrated the practical benefits of electrification. By equipping schools with essential tools and training teachers and village-based technicians in maintenance and repair, such projects ensure that students and educators have access to necessary resources, even in the most remote locations. 

The partnership between DepEd and NEA represents a significant stride toward educational equity in the Philippines. By bringing electricity to Last Mile Schools, the initiative not only illuminates classrooms but also brightens the future prospects of countless students, empowering them to build a strong educational foundation and seize more opportunities.

As this project progresses, it serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and the private sector in driving meaningful change. The electrification of Last Mile Schools is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it is a beacon of hope, signaling a brighter, more inclusive future for Philippine education.

VP Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial: She’s Ready, But Is the Senate?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Last November, when Congresswoman France Castro first raised the possibility of impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte, the VP wasted no time preparing for a possible trial. In her recent press conference, Duterte revealed that she had already been meeting with her lawyers to ensure she was ready for whatever lay ahead.

But while VP Sara is fully prepared, the Senate seems to be dragging its feet. Instead of promptly commencing the trial, they decided to delay it until Congress reconvenes in June, after the midterm elections. Senate President Francis Escudero justified this decision by claiming that the senators, who will act as judges in the trial, must first be sworn in as an impeachment court while Congress is in session. This reasoning, however, is now being challenged by legal experts.

Senate’s Delay: A Violation of the Constitution?

According to Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:

“When a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, it shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and the trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”

The term “forthwith” is crystal clear—it means immediately, without unnecessary delay. The Senate’s decision to postpone the trial until June is a direct violation of this constitutional mandate. If this is tolerated, it sets a dangerous precedent where any impeachment process can be manipulated simply by delaying or refusing to hold the trial.

The Senate: Manipulating or Incompetent?

If the Senate has a clear constitutional obligation to begin the impeachment trial immediately, why are they stalling? There are only two possible explanations:

The process is being deliberately manipulated to favor one side.

The senators lack proper knowledge of their constitutional duties.

If senators, especially Senate President Escudero, had truly studied the law, they would have anticipated this situation and been prepared. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say, “The Senate can take a vacation before holding the impeachment trial.”

Impeachment Should Not Be Politicized

Impeachment is a vital mechanism for holding public officials accountable. Any delay in this process is a denial of justice to the Filipino people. If a high-ranking official can avoid impeachment just by delaying the trial, then what is the point of having laws in the first place?

It is no secret that some senators do not care about public sentiment because they know there are no immediate consequences for inaction. When election season comes, they flood us with promises—but when faced with real national issues like this, they suddenly disappear.

Senator Risa Hontiveros: The Only Voice of Reason?

Among the senators, only Senator Risa Hontiveros has openly called for the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a system where laws seem to be twisted for the benefit of a few, we need more leaders with courage and integrity.

If we truly want real change in our government, we must remember these events when the next election comes. We must stop electing leaders who prioritize their political interests over the nation’s welfare.

Justice or Manipulation? The Senate Holds the Answer

VP Sara Duterte is more than ready for her impeachment trial—but the real question is, is the Senate ready to do the right thing? The continued delay is not just inaction; it is a direct assault on our Constitution.

If we want a government that is truly accountable, we must stand firm and demand the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a democracy, laws should never be ignored—especially by those who are supposed to uphold them.

Our Forever Meteor, Shan Cai

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Sudden breaking news came out on the morning of February 2, 2025, in the Philippines, when information went viral in public and on social media, stating that Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, lovingly known by Filipinos as "Shan Cai" in the hit Taiwanese series Meteor Garden, had passed away. 

The news sent shockwaves not only in the Philippines but in Asia as various news outlets across the continent reported the story as it unfolded. Social media went into frenzy with a lot of Filipino fans posting their sentiments, mostly from those who were avid fans of the Meteor Garden series. 

A lot of her fans were in disbelief, with some calling it fake news or a hoax. The information then came from Hsu's sister, Dee Hsu, confirming in a statement via media outlet Taiwan Focus that her sister had died of Influenza-induced Pneumonia while on a trip to Japan for the Lunar New Year. 

Barbie Hsu left behind her 2 children, a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son, with ex-husband Wang Xiao Fei. Hsu married for the second time to a South Korean artist, DJ Koo Jun Yup, in 2022, whom she dated around 20 years ago. 

The rise to superstardom came when Barbie starred in the Meteor Garden Taiwanese series that first aired in 2001. She was paired with another rising actor at that time, Jerry Yan, together with Vic Zhou, Vaness Wu and Ken Chu, popularly known in the show as the group, F4. 

The series became a successful hit and had a special feature, Meteor Rain, including a sequel, Meteor Garden 2, that was briefly filmed in Barcelona, Spain. ABS-CBN brought the content to Filipino households in 2003, which ultimately became a massive success as it became a beloved series in the Philippines. 

The era when social media is not that known yet, and the time when smartphones and the internet are not a big thing. Filipino fans from almost every household and people in the streets tune in regularly during weekdays when the show aired on its original 3 PM timeslot and moved to the 5:30 PM schedule before the evening newscast, TV Patrol. 

Filipinos loved the show's dynamic, wherein Barbie portrayed a hardworking, strong-willed and bubbly girl-student named Shan Cai from a poor family who studied at the notoriously rich and famous exclusive Ying De University. Her bravery to stand up for the weak caught the attention of the university's richest student-group, F4. 

Dao Ming Si, Jerry Yan's character, leader of the F4 group, made life miserable for Shan Cai for her defiance and ability to stand up to him—ultimately appreciating her attitude and developing love for her. 

The show's popularity in the country led to a memorable tour in 2003 when Barbie Hsu visited the country for a concert in Manila. Jerry Yan followed suit in the coming years and even landed an endorsement for a popular Filipino clothing line. Together, the pair became household names in the Philippines. 

Barbie Hsu kickstarted the long hair pigtail trend during that time when almost all girls in the country emulated Shan Cai. The term Batang 90s kids came to life when news of Barbie's sudden death shocked the entire nation. 

Fans turned to social media to remember the nostalgia where smartphones and the internet are not yet a thing. The time when fans waited for every episode as there were no streaming platforms available at that time. 

It truly was a defining period for the country when Shan Cai conquered the television of millions of Filipino households and gave birth to the "Meteor Garden Fever". The nation is mourning the loss of not just the actress but the character Shan Cai, who greatly represented the modern Filipino—resilient and strong as ever. 

Shan Cai created a lasting legacy that popular songs from the show such as "Qing Fei De Yi" and "Ni Yao De Ai" became a hit for Filipinos, even though there is a language barrier and understanding of the Taiwanese lyrics. Barbie's passing will now give a whole new feeling when listening to these songs. 

My sister and I, who collaboratively worked to create this article, vividly remember our late Grandmother "Inay Puring", who was a huge fan of the show, especially Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai. 

The usual cozy afternoon of 2003 became a bonding moment for the three of us whenever she opened the television for us to watch Meteor Garden together. 

Nostalgia briefly came back in 2014 when ABS-CBN aired a re-run to celebrate the 10th year of the original airing. The afternoon bonding was rekindled as we watched together on our old hunchback SANYO TV. 

Now that Shan Cai is gone, we are heartbroken by the fact that a huge part of our childhood has also been removed. She is indeed a huge puzzle of what we have become now—always a believer, never a quitter. 

As we say goodbye to Shan Cai and ultimately to Barbie Hsu, who defined our generation. We will make sure that her memory remains alive and well. The memorabilia that we kept, including her album and signature fan, will be safeguarded. 

Shan Cai, we will stand by your grit and defiance of any challenges. We will emulate your kindness to your family and will never give up on love. 

The next meteor shower will never be the same again as we thought of you every single time it shines in the sky. Good night, Shan Cai. Rest well with Angels. Mahal ka namin—forever. 

Written by: Renz Delim and Rizzle Meco Delim 

Screen grab credits: jerryyan143, barbiehsu.fp and kenchu9 INSTAGRAM