Located at the tail-end of Lahuy Island and surrounded by the temperamental waters of the Pacific Ocean, Sitio Lipata of Caramoan is one of the most remote coastal communities in the Bicol Region. Due to its geographic isolation, the community is cut-off from any digital development and is limited to fishing as the only means of livelihood. With the goal of connecting the most isolated communities and promoting holistic development for the least developed localities, the Department of Information and Communications Technology Luzon Cluster 3 (DICT LC3) joined hands with the Department of Education (DepEd) to deliver one of their groundbreaking projects. The Alternative Learning System (ALS) Bangkarunungan Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Project has become a beacon of hope for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). Complete with key ICT equipment and solar powered VSAT for electricity and connectivity, the Caramoan Bangkarunungan Center has provided the community access to online government services and learning modules for skills development, digital literacy, and non-formal education. The Center also offers the Tech4Ed Platform as a learning management system developed to house various content and learning materials for 213 members of the community, serving as a digital hub of development.

https://dict.gov.ph/

• Philippines

• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities
• Unserved and underserved communities in Sitio Lipata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. 213 members of the said community.

With the Tech4ED Platform offering both online and offline content, the project is especially designed to be replicable in similarly remote communities. The platform currently has eight (8) segments with content aimed at developing and enhancing the knowledge and skills competencies of Center users. In its quest to connect far-flung areas where connectivity and electricity are a challenge, DICT has installed sustainable solar powered VSAT to support Tech4ED Centers where commercial ISPs have not yet ventured.

In order to sustain the centers, center staff were appointed to manage the operation of the project. The Center Manager and the eKnowledge workers oversee the services provided by the Tech4ED center. Training, mentoring and coaching were also provided to ensure the continuous operation of the project. Free use of the Tech4ED platform to access knowledge and skills competencies were made for both offline and online content. The institutionalization of Tech4ED center as the ICT delivery channel of ALS and non-formal education through reinforcement of training and technical support to the center is a continuous process to ensure the sustainability of the center.

Providing access to ICT has improved the literacy skills of the community. The project promotes e-literacy for all with the various content in the Tech4ED platform that caters to different sectors. Empowering the community with ICT leads to the sense of belongingness of the people from the isolated area. Having this project provides an opportunity for the community to participate in Informational society.