The Phi-Chi Love & Care Foundation, in partnership with the Aurora provincial government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), held a graduation ceremony on Dec. 7 , 2024 for more than 200 graduates of intensive basic computer training courses in Aurora province.
Guests from various sectors including government officials, business leaders and members of the overseas Filipino community attended the ceremony which marked the successful conclusion of the latest batch of training sessions held by the Love & Care Foundation’s Mobile Computer Classroom project.
The initiative, which started in 2012, utilizes converted 40-foot containers outfitted with computers, printers and other essential technology to provide free computer education in remote communities across the Philippines.
Each course lasts three weeks and equips participants with basic skills in internet use, word processing, and computer operations.
Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines and his wife, Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) member Chiang Fulong and his wife, Overseas Community Affairs Senior Adviser Allen Lin, Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay and his wife Aurora, councilor Abi Galvez, TESDA Aurora Office director Nomer Pascual, Section Chief of TECO Emily Shao and Cultural Center of TECO director Eric Chuang and deputy director Benjamin Liang attended the ceremony.
Officials of Love & Care Foundation, including founder and honorary president Billy Huang, chairman Jean Chou, executive director Nelson Ong and deputy secretary-general Alice Chou were also present. Julie Ann Lope
Chow lauded the Love & Care Foundation for its dedication to reducing the digital divide in rural areas. He emphasized the broader benefits of the program, saying it not only improved individual skills but also contributed to the advancement of social welfare.
He also highlighted the growing cultural, economic and educational ties between Taipei and the Philippines, noting that the partnership is in alignment with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.
Ong underscored the foundation’s decade-long commitment to bridging the digital divide in underserved regions and expressed gratitude to the sponsors, the Taiwanese businesses and overseas compatriot community for their continued support.
He noted how the foundation’s mobile classrooms have helped individuals in provinces such as Isabela, Aurora, Ilocos, Bacolod and Iloilo greatly improve their employability and digital literacy.
The mobile classrooms travel to remote areas, offering essential skills such as internet use, word processing and basic computer operations, which significantly enhance the employability of participants and bridge the digital divide.
Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay expressed appreciation for the program, noting that the training has had a profound impact on local residents. He hoped that such an effective initiative would continue to assist vulnerable groups in the area.
Both TESDA director Nomer Pascual and councilor Abi Galvez commended the program’s efforts, with Pascual announcing that TESDA would be certifying the courses, further enhancing the graduates’ qualifications.
Since its inception, the Love & Care Foundation’s Mobile Computer Classroom project has trained over 45,000 students, positively impacting communities throughout the Philippines.
By providing free and accessible education, the foundation continues to play a vital role in improving the employment prospects and quality of life for people in underserved areas.
