The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has officially joined the Pay It Forward initiative, a collaboration between RepublicAsia, iACADEMY, and GMA Sparkle.
On Friday, April 25, 2025, DBM and GMA Sparkle signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with RepublicAsia and iACADEMY to launch a new project under the initiative.
Among those present at the signing ceremony were RepublicAsia CEO Bran Reluao, iACADEMY President and COO Raquel Wong, and DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman.
GMA Network was represented by Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President, and Joy Marcelo, First Vice President of Sparkle.
“Truly, to use modern technology to further education is something that everyone should aspire for,” said Atty. Gozon-Valdes.
“I’d like to thank you for considering the four Marawi schools that GMA Kapuso Foundation built as recipients for your endeavors,” she added, addressing the partners.
The project aims to distribute tablets and Starlink satellite internet services to selected schools in Marawi, in an effort to expand digital access and support education in underserved areas.
“Last time in Cebu, we distributed a hundred tablets and three Starlink units to schools identified by the Department of Education,” said Reluao.
“But this time, we’re working on providing even more tablets and Starlink units. And of course, we have the Kapuso Foundation helping us so we can give more to the schools in Marawi,” he added.
Reluao was talking about a similar project done a few weeks ago. In this initiative, RepublicAsia and iAcademy partnered with the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Education or DepEd.
For the Marawi initiative meanwhile, the Kapuso Foundation is one of several partners involved. And as in previous rollouts, a government agency is tapped to help identify the stakeholders who will benefit.
For the Marawi project, DBM is taking on that role.
“At least for DBM, what’s important is [that] we have the data for the entire country like I mentioned a while ago. We know saan ang mga area na need ng intervention. So I think that’s it— the input we can provide to our partners so they would know where to put their resources,” said Sec. Pangandaman.
“It’s also nice for the executive— the [government] administration— to take part in programs that really collaborate with the private sectors. One of our policies is really to ask the private sector to get involved,” she added.
“The government cannot do this alone. We need the help of the private sector.”
GMA Sparkle Artist Sofia Pablo was also in the MOA signing. She was tapped to be the ambassador of the project.
“On behalf of Sparkle, of course, I believe na malaki din ‘yung mashe-share namin kasi we also have a wide audience, and mashe-share din namin sa social media platforms of GMA, of our news, and Sparkle’s accounts,” said Sofia.
“And of course, through celebrities na students din like me so, mas marami kaming ma-e-encourage na mga tao to support this.”
This isn’t the first time GMA Sparkle has partnered with RepublicAsia and iACADEMY. On April 4, they signed an agreement for a collaboration aimed at helping content creators and Sparkle artists navigate the digital landscape.
Through a one-day workshop that bridged social media experts with Sparkle artists and content creators, the session tackled key topics such as algorithms, storytelling, monetization, branding, and audience engagement.
“We are signing again to continue our mission. This shows the power of collaboration. When government and private partners work hand-in-hand with genuine commitment, meaningful change becomes possible,” said iAcademy’s PCOO Raquel Perez-Wong.
The latest project brings vital technology to a city that continues to rise from the shadows of the 2017 Marawi siege.
By supporting digital access in schools, the Pay It Forward initiative not only addresses gaps in education but also serves as a symbol of hope, resilience, and recovery for a community still rebuilding its future.
