Building a better future with ‘Laptops for Learning’
‘The success of this initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships between government agencies, non-profits, and the private sector to bring meaningful change.’
ABOITIZ Foundation and DICT marked another milestone in bridging digital gap in far-flung communities as it turned over $50,000 worth of laptops to GoDigital Philippines. These laptops will help beneficiaries in last-mile schools gain better access to digital tools and learning.
Photographs courtesy of ABOITIZ FOUNDATION
To students of last-mile schools or people from underserved communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), a laptop presents a world of possibilities — access to knowledge, the chance to learn digital skills, and building a better future. If one GIDA student or mother would be happy to get one laptop for free, a donation of 100 such computers was a cause for celebration to advocates of digital inclusion like Aboitiz Foundation, GoDigital Philippines (GDP), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Huawei Philippines.
For the corporate social responsibility arm of the Philippines’ first techglomerate, Aboitiz Group, its partner organization focused on accelerating digital transformation in the country and the government agency tasked with spreading the reach of Internet to far-flung villages, receiving the so-called “Laptops for Learners” meant reducing digital inequality and advancing inclusive education in the country.
“By investing in digital access today, we are not only shaping future careers but also empowering young Filipinos to become problem-solvers, innovators and nation-builders,” said Aboitiz Foundation president Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar during the turnover of the donation worth nearly P3 million held at the former’s office in Makati City on 9 September.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, GDP executive director Mishy Co and Hontiveros-Malvar thanked the generosity and support of their partners.
Some of the laptops will go to the beneficiaries of AuroraPH, Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship program that brings renewable energy, connectivity and digital learning tools to last-mile schools across the country to help improve the quality of education in GIDA.
ONE of the priorities in the laptop distribution program is to support AuroraPH recipients in far-flung communities, like this student from Pimingan Elementary School in Benguet who browses the internet through a WiFi network powered by a solar system installed by the Aboitiz Foundation and Aboitiz Renewables.
She recalled that a student from an AuroraPH partner school was able to continue learning even when her family could not afford books by using a borrowed tablet and an internet signal.
“She was able to access lessons, join discussions, and dream bigger for her future. Stories like hers remind us why we do what we do — because when given the right tools, our youth can thrive anywhere,” Hontiveros-Malvar said.
Launched in 2024, AuroraPH has benefitted 12 schools and more than 2,500 students and teachers to date. With support from various partners, the program is rapidly scaling toward its goal of energizing 300 schools or 20 percent of unenergized schools nationwide.
