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| Converge extended more learning tablets to Stairway Foundation ICT Learning Center, building on its previous collaboration with the nonprofit to augment the digital capabilities of the students in the community. |
Leading fiber broadband and tech provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. recently made a return trip to Barangay Baclayan in Oriental Mindoro to celebrate Safer Internet Month. This time, they brought their online safety campaign right to the doors of Baclayan Mangyan School, all while giving the students’ digital skills a big boost.
Through its Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group, Converge worked with Grade 5 and 6 pupils on Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies). It’s a program that’s all about helping school kids get a better handle on digital literacy and how to keep their data private and secure.
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| Converge AVP and Head of Data Privacy and Information Security Compliance Team Eumir Paolo Espiritu as he facilitated the digital literacy session to the Grade 5 and 6 pupils of Baclayan Mangyan School. |
Eumir Paolo Espiritu, Assistant Vice President and Head of Converge’s Data Privacy and Information Security Compliance Team, pointed out that kids these days are more at risk from cyber threats like scams, identity theft, malware, and computer viruses. He said that teaching them how to protect themselves as early as possible is why they launched Project PIGLET back in 2024.
“Converge intends to visit different regions across the country to reach the unserved and underserved and increase the awareness of kids when it comes to data privacy and information security. At Converge, we leave no one behind, so this Safer Internet Month, we visited the indigenous children here in Mindoro to also promote the more responsible and positive use of digital technology,” he shared.
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| Converge also donated learning materials to support the immediate needs of the students and teachers of the school. |
During their visit, Converge put together fun storytelling sessions and handed out school supplies and snacks to the kids. But they didn’t stop there—they also gave the school’s digital setup a major upgrade by donating learning tablets and a smart TV to the Stairway Foundation ICT Learning Center. This was all made possible with help from Stairway Foundation, a local child-care group that’s long been supporting the students’ learning journey.
“Dahil nga Mangyan school ang aming paaralan, kaunti ang access namin sa equipment kaya malaking tulong ang mga dagdag na kagamitan para sa pag-aaral ng mga bata. Mahalaga rin ang ganitong mga initiative para maging aware ang mga estudyante sa mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran at hindi lang sila gumagamit ng gadgets basta-basta,” said Noemi Bonquin, Head Teacher III of Baclayan Mangyan School.
Baclayan Mangyan School teaches nearly 250 students from different Mangyan tribes in Puerto Galera. Converge first connected with the Mangyan community in Barangay Baclayan back in 2023, also working with Stairway Foundation. That first partnership led to Converge setting up free fiber internet at the ICT Learning Center and donating tablets to help the kids build their digital skills.
On top of that, Converge has teamed up with the non-profit on wider online safety efforts, especially to fight against cyber threats—most importantly, the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
