“This program has succeeded in other provinces. We want Benguet’s women to benefit too — to see that digital work is not just for big cities,” said Governor Melchor Diclas during the signing of a memorandum of agreement on the training with Aboitiz Foundation officials.
“This will greatly help our people in Benguet. Many women already contribute to our local industries, but with new digital skills, even more of them can earn without leaving their homes or communities,” he said.
Jowelle Ann Cruz, Impact Lead for Education of the Aboitiz Foundation, said that Elevate AIDA is carried out with its nonprofit partner, Connected Women, and has already helped more than 2,800 women across the Philippines build online careers.
Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio shared that participants only need to know basic English and be familiar with social media platforms.
“Many of our mothers already balance household duties and family care. This program helps them use their free hours wisely, learning how to earn online while staying close to home,” she said.
Participants also receive allowances during training, and the project boasts a 97-percent completion rate. Even those who don’t immediately land jobs find that the new skills they learn — such as managing digital tasks, communication and data work — help them in their daily lives and family enterprises.
