DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) awarded six Tech4Ed facilities in the National Tech4Ed Awards on Thursday, November 15, aiming to recognize efforts of alleviating municipalities through information technology (IT).

DICT National Tech4Ed Awards chairperson Maria Teresa Camba underscored the importance of using information and communications technology (ICT) in the development of rural areas in the country.

Camba said the establishment of Tech4Ed sites in the country helped give employment to Filipinos.

“With the establishment of the Tech4Ed four years ago, the program evolved in helping people in the municipalities and cities. We are very happy to share that we have grown into more than 2,300 Tech4Ed sites in the country,” Camba said during the National Tech4Ed Awards 2018 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City.

A Tech4Ed Center is a self-sustaining, shared facility providing access to ICT-based services. Some of which include BPO industries, creative offsourcing businesses, language education development technologies, and e-libraries.

DICT awarded six Tech4Ed sites that showed exemplary efforts in alleviating the current situation of their respective communities.

The following Tech4Ed locations won as the emerging technological sites: Urdaneta City Livelihood Tech4Ed Center from Pangasinan, Villasis Municipal Library Tech4Ed Center of Pangasinan, and Lamitan City Tech4Ed in Basilan.

Meanwhile, DICT, awarded the following outstanding centers: Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) in Bacolod City, Carmona Tech4Ed in Cavite, and Tayabas Community E-Center in Quezon Province.

Camba added the internet speed in the country might be a constraint in the rapid expansion of these Tech4Ed sites, but this will not hinder DICT in realizing their vision for all municipalities and cities in the country to have a Tech4Ed site.