ICTSI Foundation, VCT Launch Youth Development Initiatives in Iloilo
The ICTSI Foundation, in partnership with Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), rolled out a series of youth development initiatives in Iloilo City from July 7 to 9 to advance digital education and promote children’s rights and welfare.
On July 7, the Foundation and VCT equipped the classrooms of Bo. Obrero National High School (BONHS) and Montes I, La Paz I, and La Paz II elementary schools with 112 smart TVs and other digital tools to improve the teaching and learning experience of more than 150 teachers and 3,600 students. The handover ceremony was held at the Iloilo Convention Center, led by VCT Chief Executive Officer John Largo and Foundation Executive Director Filipina Laurena.
The new and fully furnished computer lab at BONHS.
On July 8, the inauguration of a fully equipped computer laboratory took place at BONHS. The lab package included 40 brand-new computer units, a smart TV, a multipurpose copier and printer, air conditioning units, lab furnishings, and other essential supplies to enhance the digital literacy of 515 junior high school students and 34 teaching personnel.
Raymond Jangit, BONHS principal, hailed the initiative as the first state-of-the-art, private entity-led computer lab project in the city’s school division. Both projects support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Computerization Program, which aims to digitalize teaching and learning processes to better equip students with the skills needed in the digital age.
Also in July, the Foundation oriented 10 new high school scholars from BONHS regarding scholarship policies, benefits, coverage, and other key details. The Foundation now supports 30 scholars in Iloilo, part of the 221 high school and college scholars from ICTSI’s other host communities in Manila, Batangas, Subic, General Santos, Davao, and Misamis Oriental—all in the Philippines.
On July 9, the Foundation and VCT launched the I-FIGHT program in Iloilo, together with the Voice of the Free (VF) Foundation, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall of the DepEd Compound. More than 500 students, teachers, and counselors from Jalandoni Memorial National High School and BONHS participated in discussions on human trafficking, risk factors that make youths vulnerable, and reporting channels.
The I-FIGHT campaign aimed to educate and mobilize youth against all forms of human trafficking and abuse. Atty. Lirene Mora, ICTSI Global Corporate Legal Affairs vice president, delivered an inspirational message encouraging the youth to stand against abuse and injustice.
Atty. Lirene Mora (third from left), Filipina Laurena (fourth from left), and John Largo (fifth from left), lead the I-FIGHT campaign launch in Iloilo City.
These initiatives uphold the Foundation’s and VCT’s shared commitment to bridging the digital divide, supporting quality education, and safeguarding the rights and welfare of Iloilo’s youth.
