KEEPING in line with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to digitalize the entire Philippines especially in hard to reach areas, RepublicAsia and iACADEMY led in the distribution of various technological gadgets to a school in Marawi City.
On Friday, July 11, a total of 150 tablets and three 50 inch Smart TVs were turned over to the Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School in Marawi City.
This was made possible via the Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy initiative—led by RepublicAsia and iACADEMY in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Empowering Gen Z
Following his first official visit to the Philippine Embassy in Thailand, Special Envoy Hon. Bran F. Reluao delivered a keynote message at a meaningful gathering in Marawi, highlighting the vital role of digital empowerment for the youth.
“Today’s digital access, under the Pay It Forward initiative, is more than just the handing over of digital tools. These tablets are bridges — to education, to empowerment, and to a more inclusive future,” Hon. Reluao said.
The youngest special envoy of President Marcos Jr. likewise inspired the youth to achieve more, with the opportunities being presented for them to improve, bringing along with them the future of the nation.
“Sa kabataang Marawi: Kayo ang puso ng kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Nawa’y makatulong ang mga kagamitang ito upang maabot ninyo ang inyong buong potensyal at magsilbing paalala na kailanman ay hindi kayo nakalimutan — kayo ay nakikita, naririnig, at lubos na pinahahalagahan,” Hon. Reluao, likewise the Founder of the Gen Z platform RepublicAsia said.
Visible Commitment
The event was also attended by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, DBM Undersecretary Wilford Wong, iACADEMY President Raquel Perez Wong and GMA Network Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon.
Meanwhile, the school was represented by Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School Principal Sarah Basher and Schools Division Superintendent Ana Zenaida Unte-Alonto.
In her keynote, DBM Sec. Pangandaman echoed President Marcos Jr.’s vision of an inclusive future—where no Filipino student is left behind. A vision that is steadily being brought to life through the collective efforts of both the public and private sectors.
“Kailangan pondohan natin ang edukasyon, pondohan natin ang mga kabataan. Kaya po nandito kami para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kabataan, lalong lalo na sa Mindanao. Wala pong maiiwan, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, lahat po tayo sabay sabay aangat,” Sec. Pangandaman promised.
Hon. Reluao also expressed his gratitude to RepublicAsia’s partners for their support of the Pay It Forward advocacy, emphasizing the powerful impact that can be achieved when efforts are united in purpose and action.
“We are grateful to all our partners, especially in the public and private sectors, for coming together to make this possible. This is the essence of Bagong Pilipinas — one where progress reaches every community, every student, everywhere,” Hon. Reluao said.
This is not the first time that Republic Asia and IAcademy spearheaded the digitization efforts of the private sector, fulfilling the vision of President Marcos Jr., vision of a stronger government-private sector collaboration in education.
Some 100 tablets and three satellite internet devices were recently distributed to eight public high schools in remote areas of Cebu, under the Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy initiative.
