The ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) of the Philippines conducted a one-month train-the-trainer and citizens training activity for community members of Barangay Baganihan, Marilog District, in Davao City, from 2 to 28 September 2024. The programme was implemented by DICT with support from ITU and the Government of Norway through the DTC Project and was tailored to meet the digital skills needs of community leaders (training of trainers), as well as those of women entrepreneurs and out-of-school youth (citizens training) residing in the Matigsalug, Manobo and Lumad tribes.
Barangay Baganihan is one of the Philippines’ Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) whose population comprises mostly indigenous people. It is also a region prone to challenges pertaining to Internet connectivity and accessibility of ICT infrastructure. To address some of these challenges, DICT collaborated closely with PLDT-Smart (a partner of the DTC Initiative) and benefitted from their logistical support through the provision of devices and data for training beneficiaries. Throughout the sessions, 22 community leaders (of which 19 female) and 50 community members (of which 36 female) were introduced to the Cisco Networking Academy and HP-LIFE platforms; and were trained on basic and intermediate level courses, covering the use of computer and mobile devices, introduction to cybersecurity and digital business skills. The sessions were facilitated by instructors from DTC-Philippines, who will continue to support, engage and follow-up with the participants, particularly community leaders, to monitor their progress in cascading the knowledge gained and imparting digital skills within their respective communities.
Impact story: "Empowering indigenous people in the Philippines through digital literacy training programme".
