EARLIER this month, the RepublicAsia team distributed tablets and Starlink units to several Filipino students in remote areas in Cebu, as part of its “Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy.”
This is in partnership with iACADEMY, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
But this is only the beginning of RepublicAsia and iACADEMY’s initiative to strengthen the country’s digital transformation efforts.
In continuation of this partnership, the two private institutions joined forces with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center.
They signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday, April 25, to bring “Pay IT Forward: Tech. Train. Employ” to Marawi, where gadgets, internet devices, and training will be given to four schools built by GMA Kapuso Foundation.
“Why Marawi? Because digital access remains a challenge. Marawi is a city that continues to rise from the ashes of conflicts,” said Bran Reluao, founder and chief executive officer of RepublicAsia.
“While rebuilding infrastructure is crucial, building dreams is just important. That’s why we’re here bringing tools, training, and most importantly, hope,” he continued.
Meanwhile, iACADEMY believes access to technology is crucial, especially in a rapidly changing digital world.
“That’s why [the] Pay IT Forward initiative is so close to our hearts,” iACADEMY President and Chief Operating Officer Raquel Perez-Wong said.
“It may not solve the digital divide entirely but our hope is that our small steps will later turn to bigger resolve and greater hope for others so each and everyone of us will have our fair chance to shine in this digital world,” she stressed.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who hails from Mindanao, also highlighted the importance of advocating for digital empowerment in the country’s education sector.
“As we know, digitalization is not merely a global trend; it is a strategic imperative. By harnessing digital technologies, we equip both educators and learners with the competencies required to navigate an incredibly volatile, modern, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world,” Pangandaman explained.
She continued, “Kaya malaking bagay po ang adbokasiyang ito, lalo na sa mga eskwelahan, sa ating mga guro, at lalong-lalo na sa ating mga mag-aaral.”
More gadgets for Marawi schools
Eight public schools in remote areas in Cebu were given 100 tablets and three Starlink units during the first leg of the “Pay IT Forward” advocacy on April 11.
According to Reluao, the RepublicAsia team aims to give more of these modern technologies to the four Marawi schools.
“To use modern technology to further education is something that everyone should aspire for,” GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes said.
“We’re very excited to be able to provide them the tools that they need to further their education,” she added.
Sparkle GMA Artist Center First Vice President Joy Marcelo also expressed her “100 percent” support for the advocacy.
“We would like to tell everyone here that we are one with you in bringing digital access and the opportunities that come with it, especially to the remote areas,” Marcelo said.
Sparkle artist Sofia Pablo, who was also present at the MOA signing, was named “Pay IT Forward” ambassador. During her speech, the 19-year-old Kapuso actress felt honored to be part of an advocacy that will open doors of opportunities to Marawi students.
“I’m looking forward to help bring digital education to our students in remote areas in the Philippines because as a student, I believe that everyone deserves the best education,” Pablo said.
Previous partnerships
RepublicAsia, iACADEMY, DepEd, and DICT first held the MOA signing for the “Pay IT Forward” initiative on April 3 at the RepublicAsia’s headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. The event was graced by DICT Secretary Henry Aguda and DepEd Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paolo Bartolome.
The advocacy is the latest collaboration between RepublicAsia and iACADEMY, following the “Lead Like a Pro” summit in May 2023 and the “NextUp” workshop in October 2023.
RepublicAsia also partnered with Sparkle GMA Artist Center for the launching of “The Republic of Influence: A New Era of Storytelling” workshop this month, which engaged several Sparkle creators in discussions about social media use and content creation.
RepublicAsia hopes that more public and private sectors will support the “Pay IT Forward” advocacy to make digital learning more accessible for all, particularly the Filipino youth.
