𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗬 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝟰𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗘

Aiming to provide educational opportunities and skills development tools, especially for the most vulnerable sectors, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with the provincial government of Davao Oriental, launched the Tech4ED Center at the Reception Study and Diagnostic Center (RSDC), a provincial government-run facility that houses abused women and children.

Provincial Administrator Ms. Maria Gracia Tiago, who represented Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, during the launching ceremony at the RSDC compound on March 02, 2023, expressed how aligned the Tech4ED is with the thrusts of the provincial government. She said the provincial government is currently geared toward education, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic development, and the Tech4Ed program fittingly supports these thrusts.

She lauded the DICT’s Tech4Ed program that enables users to continuously learn, providing easy access to knowledge that can be useful in future employment opportunities.

“The RSDC, a brainchild of Governor Malanyon, is bent on providing development opportunities and interventions for the marginalized sectors. With TECH4ED’s launching, it will help the children continue their education and help them have the life they deserve and provide a path for the right direction for their future and their families,” Provincial Administrator Tiago said.

𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲

RSDC’s Center Head, Ms. Aileen Lardizabal, thanked the DICT for the opportunity given to the clients of the RSDC. She lauded the TECH4ED program as a huge opportunity for their clients.

“We may not be able to ease the painful experiences of the children; however, by molding them with proper education and counseling, providing their basic needs and the right tools, indeed can thrive and work their way in achieving their hopes and aspirations in life,” she said.

𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝟰𝗘𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺

With the RSDC already equipped with a free Wi-Fi connection, courtesy of the internet provider JS Aromatoc Communication Services, the equipment turned over under the Tech4Ed program would be maximized.

RSDC’s Tech4ED Center currently has three sets of computers and a printer, with more equipment to come. For its operation, each client will have their own account to monitor and save their progress from the wide range of e-learning, online and offline platforms, and educational courses.

With the newly launched center, the DICT now has 37 centers in the entire province, from the center towns and a few centers to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). These centers offer different educational tools and resources along with ICT skills development to hone the beneficiaries to adapt experiences in the modern world, which mainly revolves around technology.

The DICT is also set to enforce its training to the beneficiaries, which includes Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Awareness, Basic and Advance Digital Literacy Training, Google Productivity Tools, Email Etiquette, Data Privacy Protection, Web Development for Web Developers, including Web Content Management using WordPress and the use of DigitaljobsPH.

Present during the center’s launching is the DICT Region XI Assistant Director Erlito Tancontian, DICT DavOr Provincial Officer Engr. Albert Gabriel, who presented the DICT’s direction and the project’s overview, and PSWDO Assistant Department Head Cid Paglinawan. ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ