Iloilo students get AI, drone tech, 3D printing boost

ILOILO CITY — Public high school students in this province are poised to receive specialized training in artificial intelligence, drone operations and 3D printing following a multi-agency agreement to establish a technology hub here.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement with regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) alongside the municipal government of Cabatuan, to formalize the establishment of the MoRProGRes TechnoHub at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School.

The provincial government has allocated P15 million for the construction and outfitting of the facility, which broke ground in August and is being positioned as the first school-based technology hub of its kind in the country.

Defensor stressed that the initiative is designed to support students inclined toward technical-vocational tracks by equipping them with practical competencies for emerging industries.

“Technical-vocational education will help direct students toward the path that suits them,” Defensor said. “We have students who are naturally inclined toward technical-vocational fields, and it would be a waste if we failed to nurture their potential.”

Under the collaborative framework, the provincial government will finance the facility’s construction, equipment procurement, and teacher training programs.

TESDA Region 6 will supply structured training modules, certified instructors, and competency assessment pathways, while DoST Region 6 will provide technical expertise and link the hub to innovation networks.

DepEd Region 6 will integrate the hub’s activities with the standard secondary curriculum, and Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School will manage the facility, assign a dedicated coordinator, and submit operational reports.