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(First Row, 2nd from left) Ma. Teresa Camba, DICT Asst. Secretary for Regional Development; (3rd from left) Stephanie Orlino, PLDT and Smart AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management; (4th from left) DICT Sec. Ivan John Uy; (5th from left) Esther O. Santos, PLDT-Smart Foundation President; (6th from left) DICT Region 10 Director Sittie Rahma Alawi
Learners in hard-to-reach areas in Mindanao receive inclusive and equitable quality education through the PLDT Group’s flagship education program – School-in-a-Bag (SIAB).
PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), through their social outreach arm PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), have partnered with FiberHome Philippines and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ensure no learner is left behind.
“True to our vision of a connected, empowered, and progressive Philippines, PSF recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building. The SIAB is a life-changing initiative for learners especially in underserved communities. We are grateful to share this passion with our partners,” said Esther O. Santos, PSF President.
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The PLDT and Smart School-In-A-Bag package includes a laptop, a pocket Wi-Fi, and a guide for teachers, as well as 10 tablets for students, educational apps in local languages, and learning materials stored in flash drives.
Each SIAB package includes a laptop and Smart LTE Pocket WiFi for teachers, ten tablets for students, educational apps in local languages, a guide for teachers, as well as learning materials stored in flash drives. Accompanying each SIAB deployment is an orientation to the PLDT and Smart-supported Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Progra (CVIF DLP). The crisis-resilient teaching strategy helps develop independent learners with the help of the CVIF DLP Learning Activity Sheets.
“The School-in-a-Bag and the CVIF Dynamic Learning Program work hand-in-hand to help improve the country’s basic education program. This highlights the PLDT Group’s commitment to reach learners in remote areas,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
In celebration of PSF’s 30th anniversary, FiberHome supported PLDT and Smart’s efforts to expand learning platforms in geographically challenged communities by sponsoring four SIAB packages that were turned over to DICT. The SIAB packages are being deployed in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The internationally renowned provider of information and communication network products and solutions had previously donated 17 SIAB packages to PSF.
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DICT Region 9 Director Cheryl Ortega, DICT Region 10 Director Sittie Rahma Alawi, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther O. Santos, DICT Asst. Secretary for Regional Development Ma. Teresa Camba, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Paul Joseph V. Mercado, PLDT and Smart AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Stephanie Orlino, FiberHome Deputy Account Director Maan Sulit, DICT Region 12 Director Ibrahim Guiapar Jr.
“Through our products and services, FiberHome helps facilitate communication and exchange of information to connect Filipinos to the global community. The School-in-a-Bag program brings relevant information to young learners even in far-flung communities so learning continues despite their circumstances,” said Johnny Jiang, FiberHome Philippines CEO.
The School-in-a-Bag highlights PLDT, Smart and PSF’s commitment to inclusive quality education through Information and Communications Technology, content, pedagogy, and capacity building to ensure that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind. This initiative is also aligned with the UNSDG 4 on Quality Education.
For inquiries about SIAB, kindly send an email to learnsmart@smart.com.ph.
