AS THE PHILIPPINES accelerates toward an increasingly digital future, the gap between the technologically empowered and the marginalized threatens to widen. Recognizing that true digital democracy requires more than just infrastructure, leading technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is stepping in to build a digitally ready generation by inspiring young, underserved Filipinos to embrace STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), innovation, and emerging technologies.
This June, Converge took a significant step in this advocacy by launching its youth-oriented tech literacy program, “TechForGood: Code the Future, Build New Paths.” The pilot implementation was carried out in Oriental Mindoro, powered by a strategic collaboration with its long-term NGO partner, Stairway Foundation Inc., and the innovative software research and development company, LAYERTech Labs.
From telco to techco: A strategic evolution
For Converge, this corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative supports its broader evolution from an internet service provider into a technology company that aims to lead innovations for the good of the Filipino people and the country.
“This year, we’re very happy to level up our collaboration with the Stairway Foundation, especially as we move from being a telco to a techco. We want to use technology for the good of all, so we endeavored to reach the students of Oriental Mindoro to help them become familiar with new technology,” shared Jay-Anne Encarnado, Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations.
Encarnado emphasized that bringing in LAYERTech Labs was a deliberate move to provide young minds with basic knowledge in software programming and robotics—the essential building blocks for more expansive innovation.
Democratizing tech with open-source solutions
LAYERTech Labs, an Albay-based software and R&D company, shares Converge’s strong advocacy for digital democracy. They view early introduction to advanced technology as a critical equalizer for disadvantaged youth in the digital age.
To ensure sustainable learning, the program utilized bipedal robot kits software-engineered using an open-source programming language. This strategic choice removes the financial “barrier to entry,” allowing students to continue exploring and innovating long after the initial training concludes.
The workshops were tailored to reach specific groups, prioritizing the boys of the Stairway Foundation and Puerto Galera Academy, followed by a dedicated session for the girls of Baclayan Mangyan School and the Foundation.
“Our goal is to bring technology to where it is needed the most,” noted Frei Sangil, President and Founder of LAYERTech Labs. “We strive to make solutions that do not aggravate existing social inequalities.”
Hands-on empowerment in the community
The success of the #TechForGood program lies in its grassroots approach, ensuring that local leaders are equipped to sustain the education.
The workshop is broken down to three parts:
- Train the Trainers: The program kicked off with a facilitators’ training for Stairway officers and coordinators from the Baclayan community. By assembling and coding the robots themselves, these community leaders were empowered to guide the students in the future.
- Building from Scratch: On the second and third days, students engaged in rigorous, hands-on teamwork. They spent several hours physically assembling the robots from the ground up.
- Bringing it to Life: Following assembly, students connected their robot circuits to computers, applying simple coding models to bring their creations to life.
“Ang partnership po na ito ay under sa ICT Program ng Stairway kung saan ako at mga ICT volunteers dito sa Baclayan community ay nagtuturo sa mga bata ng basic na paggamit ng computer,” explained Jonalyn Onde, Baclayan Development Officer at Stairway Foundation. She noted that these efforts are crucial for preparing students for high school and making them competitive alongside peers from more privileged schools.
A deepening alliance for child advocacy
The Oriental Mindoro robotics workshop is the latest milestone in a deepening relationship between Converge and Stairway Foundation.
Collaborators since 2023, their partnership initially focused on providing connectivity and digital enablement—through donated tablets and computers—while actively protecting children against the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Over the years, this alliance has matured to encompass a wider umbrella of digital advocacies, including data privacy protection, defense against online fraud, and now, bridging the educational digital divide through robotics.
By investing in the minds of the youth today, Converge is proving that building a digital nation is as much about coding a brighter future for the next generation as it is about laying down fiber-optic cables.
