Taiwan-Philippines collab brings digital literacy to underserved communities

Aurora Province, Philippines, 7 December, 2024 – Over 200 local residents graduated from an intensive basic computer training program organized by the Phi-Chi Love & Care Foundation in collaboration with the Aurora Provincial Government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The grand ceremony celebrated the achievements of the participants and underscored the importance of bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.

Distinguished guests included Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Council Member Chiang Fulong, Overseas Community Affairs Senior Adviser Allen Lin, Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay, TESDA Aurora Office Director Nomer Pascual, and key figures from the Love & Care Foundation, including Founder Billy Huang and Chairperson Jean Chou. The event highlighted the shared efforts of Taiwanese businesses, the overseas community, and Philippine stakeholders in supporting inclusive education.

Empowering communities through digital skills

The foundation’s flagship project, "Mobile Computer Classroom," has provided digital literacy training to underserved areas in the Philippines since 2012. Equipped with computers and printers, the mobile classrooms deliver essential skills such as internet use and word processing to improve employability and bridge digital gaps. Over the past decade, the initiative has reached communities across Luzon and the Visayas, training more than 45,000 participants.

During the ceremony, graduates expressed gratitude to the foundation and its partners, including Taiwanese businesses and the Philippine government. Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow commended the program’s role in enhancing employment opportunities and strengthening bilateral ties under Taiwan's New Southbound Policy.

TESDA Aurora Director Nomer Pascual highlighted plans to certify the training courses, further boosting participants’ job prospects. Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay praised the program's positive impact on local communities and called for its expansion to benefit more vulnerable groups.

The celebration ended with lively performances by the graduates, reflecting the joy and unity fostered by the initiative.

Strengthening partnerships for a brighter future

Representative Chow commended the foundation’s dedication to reducing the digital divide in rural communities and enhancing employment opportunities. He emphasized that the program not only improves individual skills but also contributes to the broader goal of social welfare improvement. Chow further expressed his gratitude to all partners involved in the program's success, including Taiwanese computer companies, Taiwanese Community, and the Philippine government. He also underscored the growing cultural, economic, and educational exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines, noting that both countries are important partners in Taiwan's New Southbound Policy.

Since 2012, the Love & Care Foundation has operated three 40-foot mobile computer classrooms, reaching remote areas in northern Luzon, including Isabela, Aurora, and Ilocos provinces, as well as in the Visayas regions such as Bacolod and Iloilo. The foundation’s efforts have significantly improved digital literacy and employment opportunities for thousands, leaving a lasting impact on underserved communities.