DepEd and Private Partners Expand Digital Access in Rural Areas of the Philippines

MANILA – April 14, 2025 — The Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with private sector partners, has stepped up efforts to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas of the Philippines. Under the “Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy” initiative, spearheaded by the DepEd in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), iACADEMY, and Republic Asia, students in eight rural schools in Cebu province received digital tools aimed at enhancing their education in the digital age.

In a ceremony held at the iACADEMY Cebu campus on April 11, 2025, the initiative donated 100 computer tablets and three Starlink satellite internet kits to beneficiary schools in remote areas. These tools aim to create learning equity between students in urban centers and those in underserved regions.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing long-standing educational challenges.

“Our partners are not just helping us implement projects. They’re helping us solve deeply rooted challenges. Through this effort, we are reaching the most remote communities and giving them the same digital tools available in urban centers,” Angara remarked.

The recipient schools include Eduardo T. Oporto Memorial National High School (Bogo City), Kalagyawon National High School (Carcar City), Cabagdalan National High School (Balamban), Gilloctog National High School (Barili), Alpaco National High School (Naga City), Nicolas Tiongco Memorial National High School (Danao City), Nemesio Epifania Taneo Memorial National High School (Lapu-Lapu City), and Gen. Climaco Memorial National High School (Toledo City).

Secretary Angara lauded the initiative, describing digital tools as a “doorway to the future” for Filipino learners.

“It is access, it is equity, it is empowerment. In Bagong Pilipinas (the New Philippines), we are not just catching up with the world; we are preparing every Filipino child to lead in it,” he added, signaling a transformative shift in educational priorities toward digital inclusion.

The Starlink satellite kits are expected to play a crucial role in providing consistent internet connectivity—an essential tool for modern education—especially in geographically isolated regions. This development aims to empower teachers and students alike to access advanced learning materials and participate in global knowledge-sharing platforms.

Expansion to Marawi Announced

Following the success in Cebu, the initiative is also set to expand to areas in Marawi, as part of the government’s efforts to support post-conflict rehabilitation and create opportunities for students in the region.

This collaboration is an example of the growing relationship between the government and private organizations, working together to reduce educational inequality and shape a brighter future for the next generation of Filipinos.

Related Efforts

This program is part of a larger drive by the DepEd to address longstanding challenges in the Philippine education system, including initiatives to fight bullying, introduce summer programs addressing learning gaps, and prioritize student safety and mental health across the nation’s schools.