BANGUED, Abra  (PIA) --  One   barangay  and a  school are the latest beneficiaries  in the province of the  Tech4Ed Program of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT)  in support to bridging technology and digital divide in  remote villages.

 DICT Provincial Officer Rufino Cabato led the delivery of three computer sets in Brgy. Gacab, Malibcong and  three  laptops for the Nagcanasan Elementary School in Pilar, Abra.

The ‘Tech4Ed’(Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development)    is  a  "national digital inclusion initiative establishing eCenters that provide critical e-government and ICT-enabled services in communities with minimal or no
access to information and government services."

“The program provides access points for local communities most especially for students to bridge connection between the digital and education. It promotes grassroots-development opportunities for inclusive growth and poverty reduction,” Cabato said in an interview.

He  said one of the challenges  of  this project is the operation of the computer as it requires an internet connection to access information and data which is not present mostly in    upland villages.

 But he explained  that “For the remote areas with limited network connectivity, we programmed the computer with data and information so that our users can still access and research offline.”  

Under the project, he said that the only counterpart of the local government unit   is to provide a space or room for the housing of the computers and designate a Tech4Ed Center Manager that will oversee the operation of the devices.

Cabato said project is  also in support to Executive Order No. 70  institutionalizing the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach  in ending local communist armed-conflicts.   

 Barangays  Gacab and  Nagcanasan are  listed as   priority areas under the Retooled Community Support Program  as  part of the whole of nation approach towards sustainable peace. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)