PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) turned over 10 units of desktop computers to the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Samar to provide additional learning resources to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers and students in the Municipality of Gandara, Samar.

“It has been PLDT and Smart’s commitment to support the education sector to help ensure that no Filipino learner gets left behind. We are truly happy to provide these desktop computers to DepEd Samar. We hope that this donation can improve the learning experience of our ALS students, especially the out-of-school youth in Gandara,” said Ivy Calbes, Customer Development Manager at Smart.

ALS Samar is among PLDT and Smart’s partner schools that have been implementing the Central Visayan Institute Foundation – Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP), a crisis-resilient teaching pedagogy that aims to enhance learners’ academic performance by encouraging independent learning among students through learning activity sheets.

These desktop computers were pre-loaded with DLP learning activity sheets and will be deployed to Minda Community Learning Center in Barangay Minda, covering two school districts in Gandara. Earlier this year, PLDT and Smart also donated printers and #LearnSmart kits to help ALS teachers with the connectivity and printing of their learning materials.

“These additional resources will surely help enhance our ALS learners’ comprehension and encourage active participation in their learning sessions, particularly in the delivery of the learning competencies under digital citizenship,” said Faustino M. Tobes, Education Program Supervisor for ALS at DepEd Samar.

“On behalf of the local government of Gandara, we thank PLDT and Smart for this opportunity. Providing quality education to our constituents is one of the LGU’s priorities, and it is encouraging to know that private organizations such as PLDT and Smart are also working to deliver solutions that would make a difference in the lives of our learners,” said Alfredo Delector, Gandara Municipal Administrator.

The hybrid ceremonial turnover was also joined by Gandara ALS teachers led by District Supervisor Rowena Delabajan. PLDT and Smart were also represented online by Stakeholder Management Luzon Relations Head Joy Lapuz; Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations Head Marylou Gocotano; and Community Relations Associate Lyslie Ferry. (Smart)