Aeta students get free Internet, e-learning gadgets
Tripatriate MOU inked to boost ‘Pagsasarili’ program
CLARK FREEPORT – Converge ICT Solutions Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Malabalacat City government for free Internet service and free learning tablets to Aeta students under the CDC-OB Pagsasarili Family Care Centers in Barangay Marcos Village and Sitio Calapi in Mabalacat City.
Converge ICT founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge ICT chairman Jose “Ping” De Jesus, Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, CDC chairman Edgardo Pamintuan, and CDC president and CEO Agnes Devanadera inked the agreement in a simple ceremony at the Clark Visitors Center.
Following the signing ceremony, Converge distributed 100 e-learning tablets to young learners in the “Pagsasarili” program.
In his speech, Pamintuan thanked the continuous support of Converge to the students enrolled in the Pagsasarili program.
“Maraming salamat sa patuloy ninyong pagsuporta sa ating mga projects. Malaking bagay po itong ginagawa ng ating kaibigan at ako po ay natutuwa. Sana ay tuloy-tuloy itong ating pagtulong sa ating mga mamamayan,” Pamituan said.
For her part, Devanadera underscored the importance of “giving back” to the community and how this will impact the lives of children within and around this Freeport.
“I’d like to give credit to the people who have been successful here and [recognize] that as they succeed, they have an obligation to look back and make sure that whatever gains they have, whether in talent or in wealth, they can share with others. Let us honor those who have looked back and shared their success. Hopefully, when these kids (Pagsasarili program students) grow up, they will be successful too and value the spirit of sharing,” she said.
Meanwhile, Uy stressed the importance of providing Internet connectivity to every community.
“Because of technology involvement, we can see that technology can also save a lot of lives through advance information, monitoring, and public advisory,” Uy said.
De Jesus said the aim of the OB-Pagsasarili project is to encourage more young learners to go to school and elevate the level of education for children from communities surrounding Freeport.
“We want to diminish the dropout rate of children in school. Only [a] few finished grade school, and only [a] few started school. And, part of the causes on drop out rate is the lack of pre-school preparation, and so I thought of starting this project here (in Clark) with the children of our Aeta brothers and sisters,” De Jesus added.
