Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management at Smart, says the initiative aims to modernize cooperatives.
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. are empowering cooperatives across the country through digital solutions. Teaming up for the ‘Aboitiz Smart Coops’ program, the partners held a training for trainers in offering basic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to help their members expand their know-how on relevant digital tools.
“Aboitiz Smart Coops aims to modernize cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This activity will help the coop representatives develop effective ways of teaching their members how to maximize digital tools for their entrepreneurial activities,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management at Smart.
Smart leverages on digital technologies to improve the lives and livelihood of communities and usher them into the digital economy. Working with like-minded organizations, Smart demonstrates the application of ICT for development, in support of a company-wide advocacy to promote digital inclusion in different areas including livelihood.
“Digital tools are relevant, especially during the pandemic, because businesses have also been relying on digital platforms to help manage their operations. We are introducing them to online platforms to help them stay competitive and survive disruptions,” added Danny Cerence, Assistant Vice President at Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
Nine multipurpose cooperatives from Ilocos, Benguet, Tarlac, Batangas, Iligan City and Davao City sent representatives to attend the online training. With the help of facilitators from Limitless Lab, the participants were trained on basic smartphone use, accessing the internet, social media and online market platforms, internet safety and digital payment schemes.
“With digital tools, cooperatives will be more productive because we can eliminate unnecessary administrative tasks. Digital literacy trainings will also help our members develop their skills, learn about new technologies like the internet, social media and smartphones,” said participant Emma Ulep Golocan.
“Since communication has turned digital, information can readily be exchanged. That’s why each member needs to learn the basics of these innovations,” said Felina Mercoles.
The training also helped representatives develop techniques in facilitating ICT capacity building among members. For better retention of topics, Smart and Aboitiz advocate a gamified or infotainment type of presentation. Trainers were also given access to a toolkit and a checklist to help execute these activities.
Smart’s livelihood programs are aligned with the organization’s commitment to support the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG #1: No Poverty, and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
