NEWS

Volume 2 Issue No. 1 April 2018

(The inauguration of the 2,000th Tech4ED center was led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology
OIC-Secretary Eliseo M. Rio Jr. , Tech4ED Project Manager Maria Teresa M. Camba and Asst. Project Manager Amelia S. Dean.)

WHAT’S NEW WITH TECH4ED? TECH4ED REACHES 2000TH CENTER, LAUNCHED

The Tech4ED platform officially introduces
new segments, the eHealth and Gender
and Development (GAD). Meanwhile, new
contents offering free basic computer tutorial,
office productivity tools and technical skills
are available on the eEduSKills.
p9
IN ZAMBOANGA JAIL FOR WOMEN
Tech4ED has officially launched its
2,000th center at the Zamboanga City
Jail Female Dormitories to deliver digital
opportunities to the female detainees.
2
 TECH4ED NEWS
CONTENTS
Tech4ED reaches 2,000th Center,
launched in Zamboanga Jail for
Women p3
AVRC1 Tech4ED Center bags 2017
Apolinario Mabini Award for Web-
site Accessibility p4
Poor man's kariton: a medium for
ICT programs & services p5
Delivery of ICT enabled
services to pwds p6
In the world of technology, Human
Skills prevail p7
Tech4ED boosts free access to ICT
services through mobile center p8
What's new with Tech4ED
Platform? p9
DICT, PhilCeCNet beefs up
efforts to introduce technical skills
and digital opportunities p10
Learning behind bars p12
The heart of community service p15
DICT and ASSIST tie up to push
Digital Literacy and Skills Training
p18
Tech4ED News
EDITORIAL STAFF
Christine Miles A. Laberinto
Editor-in-Chief
Arlyn A. Amores
Layout and Design
Angelita A. Chua
Hazel Serra
Jasiel A. Villapando
Mary Myrrh Garganera
Zendi Monea B. Sollano
Contributors
Maria Teresa M. Camba
Amelia S. Dean
Publication Advisers
2
TECH4ED SURPASSES
2017 TARGET BY 180%,
LAUNCHES 1,258 CENTERS
The Tech4ED Project rocketed
to 1,258 new centers launched
nationwide in 2017, surpassing its
target by 180% and its previous
year’s figure by 61% .
To date, 2,121 Tech4ED centers
are operating nationwide to bring
government and Information
and Communications Technology
(ICT) services to the public. From
this figure, 601 centers were
established in Local Government
Units (LGU), 156 in public libraries,
1,222 in schools, 106 in Non-
Government Agencies (NGA), 32 in
Private institutions and four in Non-
Government Organizations (NGO).
Two milestones were also
completed - the inauguration of
1,500th and 2,000th Tech4ED
center. The 1,500th center, a mobile
Tech4ED, was inaugurated last
June 30. Meanwhile, the 2,000th
center was established inside
the Zamboanga City Jail - Female
Detention center last December 12.
A total of 2,634 center managers
were capacitated with knowledge
and skills in center operations and
management from 136 Center
Managers Training conducted in
2017. This is 188% higher than the
1,400 target center managers to
be trained. Meanwhile, the total
number of registered platform
users is more than double than 35,
824 online users in 2016. To date,
91,017 registered users are taking
advantage of the services of the
Tech4ED platform.
Meanwhile, two new segments
and other ICT-related contents
were also launched in the Tech4ED
platform. The eHealth contains
health-related learning materials
and online resources while the
Gender and Development (GAD)
segment contains toolkit, GAD
policies and online resources for
women empowerment. Additional
contents and online modules on
digital literacy can now be found
on DigitalLearn.org and Global
Community Foundation. Online
resources on entrepreneurship, on
the other hand, are now available
on Women on ICT Frontier Initiative
(WIFI) content. Lastly, Tech4ED
Centers Monitoring System
was developed to improve the
monitoring process and collection of
data on center usage and activities
of all Tech4ED centers.
Because of its initiatives that
advance digital opportunities
and skills training, the project
received three notable recognitions
on community and economic
development. It was hailed “Best
in Community Service Project
for Economic and Community
Development” by Rotary District
3850, 1st Place in “Bangon
Kabuhayan Awards 2017” under
Employment Facilitation Line of
the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) and was
included as a finalist in IDC Smart
City Asia Pacific Awards 2017 under
Economic Development Category.
The Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation
Center (AVRC1) Tech4ED Center also
received the 2017 Apolinario Mabini
Award for Website Accessibility.
 TECH4ED NEWS

The Department of Information and Communications Technology Officer-in-Charge Eliseo M. Rio, Tech4ED Project Manager Maria Teresa M.
Camba, Rotary Anns Club of Zamboanga City West and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology IX led the MOA signing ceremony and launch-
ing of the Tech4ED center in Zamboanga City Jail Female Dormitories. This marked the 2000th Tech4ED center launched in the country.

Tech4ED reaches 2000th center,

launched in Zamboanga Jail for Women
By: Angel A. Chua

ZAMBOANGA CITY– In its continuous efforts
to narrow the digital gap, Tech4ED has officially
launched its 2,000th center at the Zamboanga
City Jail Female Dormitory to deliver digital
opportunities to the female detainees.
The center was inaugurated last December 12
through the partnership of the Department of
Information and Communications Technology,
Rotary Anns Club of Zamboanga City West and
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology IX.
“What is unique and memorable about the 2,000th
Center is that it represents the heart of the project
because it is located here at the City Jail for women,
testifying that with the DICT, no one is left behind,“
said DICT Officer-In-Charge Eliseo M. Rio Jr. during
the inauguration.
OIC Rio reiterated that this milestone upholds
DICT’s goal to advance inclusive development in
the countryside. “Walang Iwanan – yan ang motto
ng DICT,” he said.
“With the Tech4ED Center, may you feel
empowered because our Department wants you to
know that the government cares for you and wants
you to succeed in life,” he concluded.
Prior to the center launching, Center Managers
Training was conducted to 15 Persons Deprived
of Liberty (PDL) to equip them with knowledge
on center operations and platform utilization in
managing their own Tech4ED center. Basic ICT
Literacy was also introduced to 48 more PDLs.
Continue to page 4
3
 TECH4ED NEWS
From page 3
“DICT helped us gain our confidence to join the
society and to become what most of us dream
of – useful, talented and cared for,” Tin-tin, a
beneficiary of the program, said in Filipino.

“Tech4ED has given me hope. By the time I will

be released, I can face the outside world again
with confidence,” added Charlyn.

BJMP IX launched its first Tech4ED Center in

April 2016 at the male dormitory - the first of its
kind in the country. It was recognized as one of
the seven Outstanding Tech4ED Centers during
the 12th Knowledge Exchange Conference on
eCenters.
DICT Officer-In-Charge Secretary Eliseo Rio speaking before
the female inmates of BJMP Zamboanga City. The center aims
to deliver ICT contents and services to the female detainees in
Zamboanga City.

AVRC1 TECH4ED center bags 2017 Apolinario

Mabini Award for Website Accessibility
By: Jasiel Emma Louise A. Villapando

The Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center

(AVRC1) Tech4ED Center received from
the esteemed Philippine Foundation for the
Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PRFD) the
2017 Apolinario Mabini Award for Website
Accesssibility.

he Foundation recognized AVRC1 Tech4Ed
Center’s initiative for being responsive to the
needs of the Persons with Disability (PWD) sector
by providing accessible website for the delivery of
various ICT contents and services.
Awards Chairperson Lourdes Dela Llana Pimentel
commended the center as one of the breakthrough
programs for the PWDs, “making the Website
and Web content more accessible to people with
disabilities by adhering to the standards of Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0)
set by the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C)
as adopted by Department of Information and
The Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC1) was inaugurated as
Tech4ED center on October 2016. Since then, it continuously delivered the ICT
services to its beneficiaries, especially to Persons with Disability (PWD) sector.
Communications Technology
(DICT).”
The Apolinario Mabini Awards is a major biennial
program launched in 1974 that recognizes
individuals and organizations who have made
outstanding contributions to PWDs, and promotes
their recognition as self-respecting, self-reliant,
and productive members of society.

4
 TECH4ED NEWS

POOR MAN’S KARITON

A medium for delivery of ICT programs and services in Lingayen
By: Christine Miles A. Laberinto and Jasiel A.. Villapando

First of its kind, the Tech4ED Kariton aims to upgrade the services of the conventional kariton on the streets. The mobile
center inaguration was led by DICT Luzon Cluster 2 Director Cheryl C. Ortega and Lingayen Councilor Judy Vargas.

Who would have thought that a poor man’s kariton can
also be used as delivery channel for ICT programs and
services to serve public?
“Mas mapapadali po ang pag-aaral pag may computer,
[it will be easier to study with a computer]”, said Tricia,
an elementary student from Pangasinan. Tricia is just
one of the Lingayen locals who will be given free access
to ICT services and trainings through the Tech4ED
Lakbay Kariton.
Equipped with three laptops, internet connection and
learning materials, the mobile center aims to deliver
its services to the target beneficiaries particularly
the out-of-school youths and adults (OSYA). It also
aims to encourage volunteerism from the residents in
promoting ICT in the province.
Tech4ED Kariton targets to conduct several skills
training and capability building to 960 participants
from 30 barangays in Lingayen by 2018.

Kariton is commonly found in the streets, often used in

collecting junks and trashes. It also serves as temporary
house of poor families moving from one place to
another. With the implementation of Tech4ED Project,
our local kariton is now used as a medium to promote
and bring ICT contents and government services to
the remote communities in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Through the partnership of the Department of

Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
and the Municipality of Lingayen, Pangasinan, the first Students are trying to access the learning materials
Tech4ED Kariton was launched on October 18, 2017. of eEduskills segment from the platform.

5
 TECH4ED NEWS
FEATURE STORY
Delivery of ICT enabled services to the
Persons with Disability
The Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC1)
was launched as Tech4ED Center last October 28,
2016 through the partnership of Department of
Social Welfare (DSWD) and Development and the
Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT).
Technology Empowerment for Education,
Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic
Development or Tech4ED aims to deliver ICT-
enabled services and contents to the unserved
and underserved communities. Among its target
beneficiaries are the out-of-school youths and
adults (OSYA), Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs),
Indigenous People (IPs) and Persons With
Disabilities (PWDs).
6
Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC1)
Tech4ED Center provides skills training programs
and seminars to equip the PWDs with digital skills
needed for online work. A three-day training on
“Digital Literacy for Persons With Disabilities”
was conducted on October 25-27, 2016 for PWD
clients to develop their interest and awareness on
the impact and benefits of technology.
Jaelene Cristel Mina, a visually impaired trainee of
the Digital Literacy Training, said that the program
gave her an opportunity to familiarize herself to the
benefits of ICT and develop her skills to become a
digital worker.
“I believe that blind cannot see through eyes but
through technology,” said Mina.

In the World of Technology, Human Skills Prevail
Why Human Skills Are Most Vital in the Digital Age
By: Christine Miles A. Laberinto
Technology has made a great
impact in the society, both in
personal and professional realm. It
has opened a wide array of online
works and vast opportunities
to businesses, entrepreneurs
and employees. With this trend,
advanced technical skills have
become the basic foundation if you
plan to venture in the digital space.
For those of you who have acquired
the right skills, the world is truly
your oyster. And if you are eager to
climb the corporate ladder, having
the right skills is a prerequisite.
However, this does not guarantee
your success if you do not have the
essential human skills which are
far way substantial than any other
in demand technical skills.
Human Intelligence over
Artificial Intelligence
While the Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and automation continuously
seize the innovation spotlight, will
the well-prepared individuals be
able to have a competitive edge in
the race with AI tools?
In a report from the Pew Research
Center about the Future of Jobs
and Job Trainings, experts believe
that unique human talents which
machines and artificial intelligence
are unable to duplicate should
be developed and nurtured by
education and training programs.
Simon Gottschalk, a professor in
the Department of Sociology at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
said that the ability to efficiently
network, manage public relations,
display intercultural sensitivity,
marketing, social and emotional
intelligence are the skills which
belong to the higher echelon.
Communication and
Social Skills
A study from the Pew
Research Center revealed that
Communication skills were deemed
by the American adults as the most
important skill that kids and young
adults have to develop in order to
succeed.
Meanwhile, in a report from The
Future of Talent by Chartered
Accountants Australia and New
Zealand (CA ANZ) Geraldine
Magarey said that communication
skills, collaboration and problem-
solving are essential human skills,
which are extremely difficult to
replicate with technology.
“It’s clear that business leaders
believe a human touch is crucial as
we increasingly see technological
advancements influence the
TECH4ED NEWS
workplace. These attributes which
rely on well-developed emotional
intelligence are needed to make
sense of global megatrends and
navigate through rapidly changing
times,” Magarey said.
Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman, the author of
Emotional Intelligence (EI),
believes that EI accounts for 80 %
of career success.
In his book, Goleman said that
while a person’s Intelligence (IQ)
is a strong predictor of which field
he/she can get into and hold a job
in, EI emerges as a much stronger
predictor of who will be the most
successful.
“It [EI] is how we handle ourselves
in our relationships that determines
how well we do once we are given a
job.” he said.
Meanwhile, Rose Luckin, a
professor of learner-centered
design at Unversity College
London said in a separate report
that there are no AI systems that
have emotional intelligence.
“There are AI systems that can
fake emotional intelligence, but
they aren’t actually emotionally
intelligent,” said Luckin.
7
 TECH4ED NEWS
What kind of SOCIAL
MEDIA user are
YOU?
A recent study was conducted by the Forrester Research
to better understand how the individuals interact with
the social media channels. The study suggested that
there are six distinct types of social media user, based on
a sample of US users.
The Creator – This is the person who creates social
media content by writing and publishing blog posts or
webpages, uploading photos, videos, audio and other
content to social media sites.
The Conversationalist – This is the person who
often updates his/her status on social media sites such
as Facebook and Twitter
The Critic – This is the person who responds to social
media content by posting comments or reviews of
movies or products and services as well as posts ratings
on companies.
The Joiner –This is the person who joins and maintains
multiple accounts on social networking sites such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
The Spectator – Unlike the Creator, Spectator does
not upload or share much content. The Spectator reads
blogs, watch videos, read online news and fora and
search for user reviews and ratings on a regular basis.
The Inactive – This is the person who is online but
want nothing to do with social media and user generated
content.
8
Tech4ED boosts free
access to ICT services
through mobile center
By: Jasiel Villapando
To further boost ICT programs and
services in the community, Tech4ED
Project launched the Computer Skills
and Development Vehicle Tech4ED
Center to deliver government services
in all barangays under the 4th District of
Pangasinan.
The Department of Information and
Communications Technology Luzon
Cluster 2, in partnership with the 4th
district of Pangasinan piloted the center
in Brgy. Mabilao, San Fabian, Pangasinan
and Brgy. Pao, Manaoag, Pangasinan.
The mobile center is equipped with fully
air-conditioned room with 16 computer
units. It will introduce the online and
offline services of the Tech4ED program
in the community, especially to the
remote areas in Pangasinan with limited
or no internet connectivity.
Aside from free computer use, Tech4ED
project provides access to ICT-related
contents and services, educational
materials for Alternative Learning
System (ALS), skills training, Digital
Literacy and health-related contents for
the public across sectors.
“Maganda po yung project mas
maeenganyo po yung ibang students para
mag-aral. [The project will encourage the
students to learn.]” said Esther Pintes,
grade school student.
“Malaking tulong po ito lalo na sa anak
ko. [The project will help my son a lot.]”
said Rodelyn Galvez, beneficiary of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
 TECH4ED NEWSLETTER
What’s new with Tech4ED Platform?
The Tech4ED platform officially introduces two newest
segment, the eHealth and the Gender and Development.
eHealth segment provides
access to contents on basic
health information. These
contents come from various
organizations advocating
health and child protection
such as Water for People,
Unicef, Population Council,
Global Health Council and
World Health Organization. This segment also provides
access to local based health related online resources.
Gender and Development
(GAD) segment contains online
resources on eGovernment
online toolkit, GAD policies
and training modules which
promote an inclusive and
gender responsive government
ecosystem.
Meanwhile, new contents offering free basic computer
tutorial, office productivity tools and technical skills are
available on the eEduSKills segment.
Digital Learn offers a refresher
course on basic computer use for
those who are still unfamiliar with
the basic computer interface. It
also provides free online learning
materials for Digital Literacy,
Office Productivity Tools, Job
Skills, Social Media applications,
and Online Safety.
Global Community Foundation
LearnFree.org offers free online
tutorials on Microsoft Office and
essential skills needed for work.
It also allows self-paced tutorial
on courses in Math, Work &
14
TECH4ED NEWS
Career, Reading and computer applications.
New contents on women entrepreneurship and
empowerment are also available.
Contents from the Women
ICT Frontier Initiative
(WIFI) Training Program
provide training modules
and learning resources for
women empowerment and
entrepreneurship through
ICT.
There are also more upcoming contents which will be
integrated in the Tech4ED platform.
In partnership with the Asia Society for Social
Improvement and Sustainable Transformation
(ASSIST), Digibayanihan Program intends to
supplement traditional education by fostering
Digital Literacy in the community. This provides
online resources and learning materials related to job
preparation, career development, college entrance
exam materials and interactive application promoting
digital citizenship for all Filipinos.
TypePhil is an educational typing program that is part
of CodePhil. This will be available in various Filipino
languages to help young students and members of the
community learn typing to provide a strong foundation
for further computer skills.
Meanwhile, a new monitoring system will also be
launched. The Tech4ED Center Monitoring System
is a client-server and cloud-based application which
aims to improve current future management of outputs,
outcomes and impact of the Tech4ED project.
9
 TECH4ED NEWS
DICT, PHILCECNET BEEF UP EFFORTS
TO INTRODUCE TECHNICAL SKILLS
AND DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
To further advance the
potential of the Information and
Communication Technology (ICT),
The Department of Information
and Technology (DICT) and
Philippine Community eCenter
Network, Inc. (PhilCeCNet)
continuously boost efforts to
introduce technical skills and
online job opportunities to drive
economic development in the
countryside.
“ICT has now altered the way we
live our lives and the way we work.
And we play a very important
role in the community. Let’s try to
see how we can be able to touch
everyone and make sure that
10
By: CM Laberinto
nobody is left behind,” said DICT
Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim.
The Knowledge Exchange
Conference 12, organized by the
DICT and PhilCeCNet, carried the
theme “Innovating and Engaging
Communities for Countryside
Development” It focused on
capacitating participants with
technical skills and knowledge
on mobile eAgri marketing, data
visualization and infographics,
social media marketing and mobile
videography. An orientation to
Thin Client beneficiaries was
also held, followed by MOA
signing between DICT and Local
Government Units beneficiaries of
the Thin Client sites.
The event also aimed at
recognizing the local government
units as champions of ICT for
countryside development and
partnering between multi-sectors
for developing the countryside.
One of the program’s highlights
was the National Tech4ED Awards
which recognized the initiatives
and the best practices of the
Tech4ED centers nationwide
in fostering ICT services in the
countryside.
Three centers were awarded in the
Outstanding Centers category

and four bagged the awards for
the Emerging Centers category.
Then DICT Secretary Rodolfo
Salalima, Tech4ED Project
Manager Maria Teresa Magadia
Camba and cluster directors led
the awarding ceremony.
“As you leave this room and as
you return to your community,
I hope that you will see and act
with greater knowledge. Kindly
share public service by bringing
good things and happiness with
the people in the countryide,” said
Salalima.
The Knowledge Exchange
Conference is an annual gathering
of center managers, partners
TECH4ED NEWS
from the public and private offices
in the field of Information and
Communications Technologies
for Development (ICT4D) and
Public Internet Access. It is
a venue where networking is
espoused, best practices on
center operations, services &
applications are shared, ICT
trends are unveiled.

Tech4ED Cluster Conferences

Meanwhile, Tech4ED Center project partners, center managers to strengthen partnerships with the
Managers Conferences were also and stakeholders nationwide and National Government Agencies,
held by the DICT Field Operations inform them about the project Non-Government Organizatons and
Offices. The activity aimed to gather updates and plans, and as well as Local Government Units.

The 1st Naional Capital Region Center Managers Conference

was held on December 3, 2017 at DICT Building
The Luzon Cluster 2 held its 2nd Knowledge Exchange
Conference last July 26-28 at Sison Auditorium, Lingayen
Pangasinan.

The 2nd Mindanao Cluster 1 Center Managers Conference

was held on December 2, 2017 in Zamboanga City. The
event was led by DICT OIC Secretary Eliseo M. Rio and Two batches of Center Managers Conference were
Tech4ED Project manager and Mindanao Cluster 1 Director organized by the DICT-FOO Mindanao Cluster 2, one in
MAria Teresa M. Camba Cagayan De Oro and one in Surigao City.

11
 TECH4ED NEWS
Learning Behind Bars
INMATES’ STORY ON HOW ICT OPENS DOORS FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION
By: Christine Laberinto
Inside the four corners of BJMP
Zamboanga City Jail, there are persons
whose will and determination to
learn are tougher than the steel bars
that locked them in. The opportunity
provided by the government
“As a center manager, programs to promote the Information
it is our responsibility and Communications Technology
to provide our inmates (ICT) to the inmates served as the key
the opportunity to unlock their passion and volition to
of education, dream bigger.
skills training and
development to give “It cannot be denied that we are living
them a chance to work in a prejudiced society that puts
by the time they will be stigma on someone who has been in
released in jail.” jail. This reality bogged me for a long
while,” Kenneth, one of the inmates,
said in Filipino. Native in his 30’s,
he has been detained in Zamboanga
City jail for quite a long time. Because
of this, he lost confidence to pursue
his dreams. “But this thinking
changed when the Tech4ED Center
was established here inside the
Zamboanga City Jail.”
As part of their Development and
Rehabilitation Program, the Jail
introduced government programs to
provide informal education and skills
12
training among the inmates. One of
these programs was the Technology
Empowerment for Education,
Employment, Entrepreneurs and
Economic Development or Tech4ED.
Since the Tech4ED Center inside
BJMP Zamboanga City jail was
inaugurated on April 2016, inmates
have been provided skills training,
digital literacy trainings and access
to ICT-related contents from the
Tech4ED platform. At present, the
center has over 200 inmates who
have access to the platform.
SJO4 Catherine Bongabong, Chief of
Inmates Welfare and Development
(IWD) and Tech4ED Center Manager
sees that the program became
one of the avenues to reach the
full potentials of the inmates in
preparation for their reintegration to
the society. “As a Center Manager, it
is our responsibility to provide our
inmates the opportunity of education,
skills training and development to
give them a chance to work by the
time they will be released in jail,” she
said.

STUDENT LIFE INSIDE JAIL
JP’s detention in BJMP Zamboanga
City Jail didn’t hinder him to
pursue his passion in teaching.
“My detention in jail didn’t cease
my passion of educating other
people. Through Tech4ED, I was
able to pursue my profession as
a teacher and it enables me to
acquire new knowledge on ICT,”
said JP in the vernacular.
The Chavacano also serves
as Tech4ED Center Facilitator
who assists his fellow inmate in
utilizing the platform and basic
computer operations. After his
release from the jail, he plans
to establish his own center and
introduce the program in their
barangay.
“This gives me hope that on the
day we will be released, we will
be renewed individuals equipped
with skills we acquired through
the program,” he said.
Meanwhile, Arnold took advantage
of the digital literacy seminars
and skills training to enhance his
skills in graphic designs. “When
I attended the Digital Literacy
Training Program, it opens
TECH4ED NEWS
opportunity for me to showcase
my skills and knowledge in the
computer. I was able to enhance
my skills in graphic designs and
now, I’m producing livelihood
products with the help of
Tech4ED,” said Arnold in Fiipino.
At present, Arnold serves as the
graphic designer for BJMP staff
where he makes PVC cards for
BJMP computerized shirts, sports
jugs, cutouts and keychain. This
also became his source of income
to support himself and the needs
of his family.

TECH4ED CENTERS IN JAIL

By: Myrhh Garganera and Zendie Sollano

Tech4ED Centers in Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Misamis Oriental (left) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Region 11 (right) were inaugurated to deliver the ICT services and contents to the city jail inmates. Aside from the online modules and learn-
ing materials, the centers will provide e-Dalaw program for the inmates.

Two more city jails in Mindanao have launched
Tech4ED Centers to deliver ICT-enabled services
and contents and promote digital inclusion among
the inmates.
In July 2017, the Department of Information and
Communications Technology Mindanao Cluster 3
in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology (BJMP) Region 11 has launched
three Tech4ED Centers within the Davao City Jail
compound namely: Davao City Jail Annex, Davao
City Main building and female jail compound.
The centers operate from 8a.m. to 4p.m, manned by
the jail officers who serve as Center Managers and
few inmates who assist in the center operations.
Digital Literacy Trainings were conducted to 15
female inmates with zero knowledge of computers
which lasted for three days covering basic computer
concepts and productivity tools like word processing,
spreadsheets, and presentations.
Continue to page 14.
13
 TECH4ED NEWS
From page 13
One of the trainees expressed her heartfelt
appreciation for the program and said, “Salamat
kaayo. Dili gyud nako ni makalimtan hangtod
sa makagawas ko.” [Thank you very much. I will
never forget this experience until I’m released.]
Oriental launched the first Tech4ED Center in
in Region 10. This initiative led by the DICT
Mindanao Cluster 2 will open opportunities
for the inmates to maximize the potentials
of ICT as part of their rehabilitation program.

DICT Mindanao Cluster 3 collaborated with
the Knights of Online Marketers and the ICT
Council of Davao to provide opportunities for
employment for the inmates even when they
are still behind bars. Meanwhile, BJMP Misamis
“This will provide new employment opportunities
(e.g. online freelancing jobs) to our inmates. It will also
allow us to start our E-Dalaw project, which will help
them to communicate with their loved ones online”
said Warden Superintendent Erwin Kenny Ronquillo.

The Heart of Comunity Service

2017 National Tech4ED Awards
By: Angel Chua and Christine Laberinto

At the core of community service is a genuine partnerships which enabled them to maximize
the benefits of ICT to improve education,
heart that shares and hands that serve those who
entrepreneurship, employment and economic
are deprived of basic needs and resources. The
development in their community. The contest
great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the
has two categories: Outstanding Centers and
change you wish to see in the world.” And this has
Emerging Centers. Outstanding Center category is
been embodied by the exemplary Tech4ED centers
for centers that have been existing and operational
which spearheaded programs to cultivate change
more than two years while the Emerging Center
in the community.
category is for those that have been operating for
two years.
Seven Tech4ED Centers outshined the crowd and
bagged the 1st National Tech4ED Awards 2017.
Winners for the Outstanding Category are M’lang
The National Tech4ED Awards aimed to recognize
Cotabato Tech4ED Center, Mauban eLearningVille
the exemplary performance of the Community
Tech4ED Center and San Fabian, Pangasinan
E-centers from all over the country in upholding an
Tech4ED Center. Winners for the Emerging
efficient delivery of government services and the
Category are Dagupan City Public Library Tech4ED
benefits of ICT to advance economic development
Center, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology –
in the countryside.
Zamboanga City Jail Tech4ED Center, Butuan City
Library Tech4ED Center and Negros Occidental
Out of the 20 finalists, these centers stood out for Learning and Technology Center, Bacolod City
their unique and innovative services and fruitful Tech4ED Center.

14
 TECH4ED NEWS

The 1st National Tech4ED Awards was held during the 12th Knowledge Exchange Conference last September 13-
15, 2017 at the Heritage Hotel Manila, headed by former DICT Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima and Tech4ED Project
Manager Maria Teresa M. Camba.

National Tech4ED Awards:

Outstanding Category
By: Angel Chua

SEVEN STORIES OF INSPIRATION

Mauban eLearningVille Tech4ED Center
Sometimes what stops us from reaching more are our past successes,
this is because enthusiasm and passion dry down over time. But not
for Mauban Tech4ED Center that has been operating for more than
five years, remaining to be a model Center to date.

For Mauban eLearningVille, serving the public with ICT knows no

end. Since its establishment, the center has been providing the locals
low-cost ICT facility for the students, ICT trainings for the job seekers,
and Digital Literacy trainings for those who have little knowledge
on Computer use. It also partnered with Moving as One to offer its
Online e-Counseling services. Rich with inspiration from their users,
the Center continues to rev up with more ICT-enabled services for the
community. Continue to page 16

15
 TECH4ED
TECH4EDNEWS
NEWSLETTER
From page 15

Mlang, North Cotabato Tech4ED Center M’lang Tech4ED Center integrates value orientation
in all of its seminars and services, painting a new
face for Mindanao, one training at a time.
“Go and multiply,” this must be the mantra of the
Tech4ED Center in M’lang, North Cotabato. The
Center has been instrumental in proliferating ICT San Fabian, Pangasinan Tech4ED Center
initiatives in Mindanao. The center inaugurated 28
satellite Tech4ED Centers in the locality comprised
San Fabian, Pangasinan housed its first Community
of 23 barangays and four dedicated sites for special
e-Center in January 2006. After 10 years of service,
sectors such as Overseas Filipino Workers, Persons
the Center remained undaunted by the demand the
with Disability, Indigenous People, and Senior
new age brings. For the Center, it’s “innovate or die,”
Citizens. It also established a strong network of
hence, San Fabian, Pangasinan fiercely addresses the
partners from government agencies, academe, non-
growing needs of its people by offering Tech4ED’s
government organizations, and sectoral councils.
contents and services.

Each center stands as a one-stop shop offering

The Center also unrelentingly offers series of Digital
services from IT education, employment facilitation,
Literacy trainings for special needs sector. It is by
livelihood assistance, entrepreneurship development,
becoming innovative and relevant to the community
e-health, e-government services, and e-tourism.
that this Center stands still after a decade of untiring
It also serves as light in the city by offering peace
commitment.
advocacy programs, values education and online
counselling, especially to socially vulnerable groups.

National Tech4ED Awards:

Emerging Category
Dagupan City Public Library Tech4ED
What is impressive about model Tech4ED Centers is
that they are not satisfied with just being a passive,
go-to place; these Centers actively stand as catalyst
for empowerment.
Dagupan City Public Library transformed into a
Tech4ED Center in March 2015 and it has been
more participative in changing the scope of the
Pangasinan. It has equipped about 2,000 locals from
various sectors including women, senior citizens,
entrepreneurs, high school students, barangay
workers, out-of-school youth and the like with basic
ICT skills thru the Tech4ED Center and its contents.
The City Library empowers its people with ICT one
training at a time.
1612
Bureau of Jail Management & Penology -
Zamboanga City Jail Tech4ED Center
Launched in April 2016, Tech4ED found its home
inside a city jail - first of its kind in the country. It
was established as a result of partnership among
DICT, Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West and the
Bureau of Jail and Management Penology Region IX.
Speaking of underserved, no better place would
perfectly define the term “unreached” than a city jail.
Looking through the gazes of isolated souls, there is
a hope that glimmers beyond the prison walls. To the
inmates of Zamboanga City Jail, “hope” is no longer
a concept they imagine but a life they now live in at
each click of mouse and seconds of browse in the
Tech4ED Center.

Butuan City Library Tech4ED Center
This is not your typical library with dusty, forgotten books.
As you walk past the shelves, you’ll see people lining up
not to rent some books but to have a chance to navigate
learning materials in digital form. From a usual public
library, Butuan City Library became a Tech4ED Center
and now serves as a nucleus of innovative and advanced
knowledge in the community. It goes beyond merely
providing learning materials to the community but also
hosts ICT literacy training and boot camps for employment.
Another plus factor of the Library is its provision of
e-Government services to the Community. Thru the
e-Government portal, the Center was able to assist
7,900 OFWs in the processing of Overseas Employment
Certificates and 900 applicants for Licensure Examination
for Teachers. Three batches of Business Process
Outsourcing Orientation and Boot camps for online
job workers were successfully done catering to 100
participants. Graduates of their boot camps found job as
content writers, graphics artists, and virtual assistants.
The Center has also become very instrumental in the
creation of Butuan’s Freelancers Council to continuously
support the community of online job workers in the city.
Recipients of the 2017 National Tech4ED Awards: Emerging Centers Category
TECH4ED NEWS
Negros Occidental Learning and Technology
Center, Bacolod City Tech4ED Center
NOLITC Tech4ED Center was established in March
2016 and it’s been taking the limelight for garnering
recognition as Top Performing center every month.
Majority of its initiatives are also girded towards making
Negros Occidental a digitized province. The Center leads
a revolution of ICT in the province by conducting series
of free ICT training, changing the way its citizens operate.
Their participants now harness ICT to make transactions
or perform their duties in their respective offices. It
also initiated a Mobile Tech4ED campaign giving far-
flung barangays the access to government services and
ICT-enabled contents through the Tech4ED platform.
NOLITC has been an instrument in raising competent and
talented pool of workers in Negros Occidental through
the Tech4ED Center. Aside from the Digital Literacy
Training, the Center offers specialized courses called (1)
English Language Proficiency and (2) Contact Center
Services, where 91% of their graduates got employed.
The Center also served as an incubation hub for 19
medical transcription-aspirants where they received
mentoring, coaching and assistance to gaining online
job. At the end of the immersion, 10 got hired as medical
transcriptionists by a local company while the rest are
currently working at their own homes as freelancers.
17

In response to the growing demand on skills for online work, the Department of Information and Communications Technology forged a partnership with Asian Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable
Transformation (ASSIST) to advance digital skills and digital citizenship among the youth through the DigiBayanihan Program. This program will provide non-formal education and skills training to the Out Of
School Youth and Adults (OSYA).
DICT AND ASSIST TIE UP TO PUSH DIGITAL
LITERACY AND SKILLS TRAINING
By: Christine A. Laberinto
At 20, Bai Queenie Hadjinor is more driven to finish her
studies than ever. Since high school, she is fond of learning
about computer and eager to learn advanced skills in using
it. However, sending herself to school has never been easy
for Queenie.
Queenie lived a frugal life with her family in North Cotabato,
Mindanao. During her teenage years, she lost her parents
from a conflict in their hometown. With no immediate
relatives who can support her studies, the young ladyl did
not let her life’s misfortunes go in her way to reach her
dreams. In order to pursue her studies, she applied for a
scholarship in M’lang Community eCenter and worked as
an Assistant Trainer at the same time.
18
TECH4ED NEWSLETTER
“I did everything just to pursue my studies despite the
discrimination from other people. I didn’t mind them. I keep
telling myself, I will be successful someday,” said Queenie
in the vernacular.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA survey),
one in every 10 Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years is an out
of school child and youth. In the 2016 Annual Poverty
Indicators Survey (Apis), Philipppines has about 3.8 million
out of school children. One of the leading causes are the
lack of financial support and the high cost of education.
One of the main thrusts of the Department of Information
and Communications Technology (DICT) is to deliver ICT
programs and services in the countryside across sectors
including the the out-of-school youth.

Through the Tech4ED Project, the public has been
provided with access to computers, various contents and
government services.
Tech4ED centers serve as delivery channels for various
ICT services, learning modules and contents about
agriculture, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, science
and technology among others. These centers also serve
as hubs for digital literacy trainings and skills training for
digital workers.
Digital skills for employment
The advent of Information and Communications has
greatly contributed to the transformation of the country’s
employment landscape. At present, around 1.2 million
people are employed in the BPO sector. And this is
anticipated to grow to 1.8 million in the next five years as
shown in the Information Technology-Business Process
Association of the Philippines (IT-BPAP) Roadmap 2022
report. With this current trend, demands on skills for
online works has significantly increased over time.
However, 2016 PSA report shows that 63 million people
in the country lack basic digital skills. To address this gap,
Asian Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable
Transformation (ASSIST) aims to digitize the Philippines
DICT and ASSIST Partnership
In order to further promote digital literacy in the
community, DICT and ASSIST Asia entered into an
agreement to introduce DigiBayanihan’s initiatives to
the Tech4ED centers nationwide. The partnership was
sealed during the relaunching of the DigiBayanihan
Program held on October 24, 2017 at the Ascott hotel,
Makati. Through this partnership, DigiBayanihan’s
localized learning modules and contents will be available
to the centers.
“Philippines is now becoming more digital. DigiBayanihan
is very much in line with government strategies
which is to make every Filipino digitally empowered.
16
TECH4ED NEWS
“Majority of the centers are hosted by the schools
and Local Government units. Aside from the physical
centers, the project also has Tech4ED platform which has
various contents for education such as the Alternative
learning system (ALS), Learning English Application
for Pinoys (LEAP), STARBOOKS from DOST-STII. All of
these contents are available in the centers for free.” said
Tech4ED Project Manager Maria Teresa M. Camba.
by promoting digital literacy and digital citizenship
through its movement called DigiBayanihan.
Managing Editor Sreenivas Narayanan believes that
digital skills are no longer optional but have become
integral in addressing employment issues.
“DigiBayanihan works through a 2-step approach which
starts by mobilizing institutional partners engaged in
education and job skills trainings and supporting their
digital learning needs,” said Narayanan. “This initial step
is supported by original and locally-adaptable content
that will be made available through both online an on-
ground channels.”
Digibayanihan is a digitally literacy program which
advances digital empowerment.” said Narayanan.
Meanwhile, Project Manager Maria Teresa Camba
believes that this partnership is a perfect match because
Digibayanihan has contents and services which are
useful for Tech4ED’s target sector especially the out-of
school youth.
“The purpose of DICT and ASSIST partnership is to move
digital literacy and foster responsible digital citizenship
and to educate the youth,” said Ms. Camba.
19
 2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CENTERS ESTABLISHED
CONTENT & PLATFORM

1 NEW
SEGMENT
1,194
LUZON

69
89 218 557 1258*

3
2015 JAN - JUNE 2016 JULY - DEC 2016 JAN - DEC 2017

LUZON
NEW
CONTENTS
2121 *180% based

1
on the
NEW
MONITORING
SYSTEM 2015 -2017
700 target
for 2017

RELEASED

REGISTERED PLATFORM USERS 258

1,358 35,824 91,017
VISAYAS

601 156 1222 106 36

600
LGU LIBRARY SCHOOL NGA NGO/PRIVATE
2015 2016 2017
48% 52% 43% 57% 42% 58%
649 709 15,105 20,719 38,319 52,698
MINDANAO

ADVOCACY & PROMOTION

CAPABILITY BUILDING
14, 500
2 DEVELOPED
COURSES

1
Center Management Course
International
Summit
Computer Hardware, Networking and Basic
Troubleshooting Course

3 FOO
Conferences

2NEWSLETTERS
TRAINERS TRAINED CENTER MANAGERS CENTER MANAGERS

1
TRAINING CONDUCTED TRAINED Knowledge
Exchange
Conference Published for 2017

135 91 2100 3 International & National

2016

2016

2016

Awards Received
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016

136 2634
Prizes, e-Employment Action Line
2017

2017

Best in Community Service Project for Economic

and Community Development by Rotary District 3850

188% 1400
1st Place, Bangon Kabuhayan Awards 2017
ACCOMPLISHMENT 2017
TARGET
‘Employment Facilitation’ Category
BASED ON THE

CONTACT US
Tech4ED Project Management Office
2F DICT Building, CP Garcia Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 920-0101 local 2000 • info.tech4ed@dict.gov.ph • dict.gov.ph/tech4ed
Tech4ED Centers @tech4ed_centers @tech4ed_centers Tech4ED Centers