PLDT kicks off its Infoteach Outreach Program with the Training of Master Trainers held January 7-8 at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) in Los Baños, Laguna.

University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Melinda dP. Bandalaria is one of the key persons to conduct the training program.

PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera opened the program by welcoming 23 participants from 10 areas nationwide, namely, Marikina, Navotas, Aurora, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Camarines Norte, Quirino, Dumaguete, General Santos, and Iligan.

According to Diaz De Rivera, the teachers’ training is a step forward — one that enables each one of the teacher-participants to become better educators. “It teaches each one of you that learning is truly endless — that there is always room for growth and improvement,” Diaz De Rivera said.

In photo are participants working on one of the training modules.

She added that, “Without a doubt, education is truly essential in our nation-building. It is through education that we shape the lives of today’s youth. As teachers, each of you has been given the privilege to hone the lives of every generation.”

UPOU Chancellor Melinda Dp. Bandalaria, UPOU Assistant Professor Myra Almodiel, and UPOU Assistant Professor Ria Borromeo, PhD. conducted the Training of Master Trainers program which included one personnel for the Barangay-based Infoteach, two e-Center managers, and 20 master trainers for the school-based which consisted of Department of Education (DepEd) Information Technology Officers, supervisors, and teachers.

PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera underscores the importance of the training program in pursuit of life-long learning during her closing remarks.

According to DepEd Division of Quirino Information Technology Officer I Esdras Agacer, the use of technology, along with the presence of Infoteach and open education, provides learners with various opportunities for continuous education. He said: “We are grateful to PLDT and UPOU for being our partners in advocating education. They make it possible for every teacher to pursue their graduate studies through online and life-long learning.”

Agacer is one of the 23 participants during the Training of Master Trainers. Another participant is Engineer Joyce Constantino from the e-Center of the local government in Baler. She oversees the e-Center in their area. According to Constantino, the training gave her an opportunity to further understand digital literacy and become a digital citizen. “Through the PLDT Infoteach Outreach Program, we are constantly empowered to propagate knowledge and allow others to access digital information,” Constantino said. “Through this program, a sense of awareness is created where people learn about the 21st century competencies and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of providing quality education.”

Jacquelyn Suzanne Escalante from the Department Division of Iligan City shares her insights during the training discussion.

Representing the DepEd Division of Dumaguete, Information Technology Officer Kim Faburada, another participant, said the impressive modules created a platform for him to learn more about various digital and online topics and issues. “The training provided educational growth where we learn things beyond our comfort zones. Some of the things we learned included global digital citizenship, responsible use of social media, and the importance of life-long learning in terms of uplifting our country’s quality of education.”

The Master Trainers will conduct the training of trainers in their respective areas.

In photo are the master trainers participants along with the key persons from PLDT ComRel Division and UPOU. Sitting, from left are UPOU Assistant Professor Myra Almodiel; PLDT ComRel Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera; UPOU Chancellor Melinda dP. Bandalaria; PLDT Laguna Consumer Experience Zone Head Michael Mejia; Ria Borromeo, phD; PLDT Laguna Consumer Experience Zone Field Service Supervisor Vincent Dela Vega.