PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications have delivered their School-in-a-Bag learning package to Apo Elementary School on Apo Island, Negros Oriental, one of the Philippines’ most remote schools.

Despite the island’s challenging location seven kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental, the SIAB successfully reached the school, providing students and teachers with digital learning tools and educational content.

The SIAB package included a laptop, tablets, Smart LTE pocket WiFi devices with data, and pre-downloaded learning materials, such as contextualized Learning Activity Sheets and 10 LearnSmart apps that teach literacy and numeracy in local languages.

Marylou Gocotano, Visayas Relations head of PLDT and Smart, emphasized the company’s role in bridging the digital divide, especially in education.

“Through our SIAB program, we are ensuring that children in remote communities like Apo Island will have access to the same digital learning tools as those in urban areas.”

Apo Elementary School head Anna Lyn Abella expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting that the SIAB would enhance learning for both teachers and students, especially during disruptions such as disasters or calamities when in-person classes are suspended.