LEGAZPI CITY – Living in a remote area of Masbate province, Princess Nicole Recto feared she would struggle to find a decent, financially stable job that could support her family and meet her basic needs.
Recto graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology in Mandaon town in May 2024.
After graduating, the 23-year-old daughter of a construction worker and a tailor from Barangay Malubi in Aroroy searched for work for several months, even applying in the city, but to no avail.
That was until a friend suggested applying for a digital teaching career at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), previously known as the Tech4Ed Center.
The center was established through the collaboration of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and mining and processing companies Filminera Resource Corp. and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. (PGPRC).
“After submitting our resumés, one of the companies responded and invited me for an interview. This opportunity has changed my life significantly. As fresh graduates, we often feel anxious about entering the workforce. Initially, I was very apprehensive about teaching," Recto told the Philippine News Agency.
“I have been working as an online English teacher for seven months now, and it has been very helpful for me. Now, I can help my family and contribute to our expenses.”
Public-private partnership
Zycar Ong, DICT-Masbate Provincial Officer, said the establishment of the Digital Transformation Center aims to provide free digital training and empower residents of Aroroy, ultimately generating more employment opportunities within the community.
"The goal of the DICT's countryside project is to create a digital job space that empowers individuals to earn income without leaving their communities. With proper training in digital technologies, individuals in rural areas can earn as much as those in urban settings, provided they have Internet access and a laptop," he said.
Noelle Nazareno, Social Development Management Program Superintendent of PGPRC, said the partnership with DICT began during the pandemic to provide employment opportunities to residents in the eight affected barangays near the mining site.
"Eventually, we proposed creating a dedicated hub for trainees, which led to the establishment of the Tech4Ed center. Initially equipped with 10 to 15 computers, we have since expanded to accommodate 30 computers, with an additional capacity for 10, bringing our total to nearly 60 seats,” she said.
“As we became more engaged, the program grew and we began working with additional trainers to focus on general virtual assistant skills and other digital platform training."
Training sessions began in 2022, and by mid-2022, the first hub was opened. The second hub was inaugurated in 2024 by the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines.
Nazareno said the center collaborates with local government units to ensure individuals do not need to leave their jobs.
"Our main objective is to help them organize into a cooperative," she said.
“As a result, we were recognized as a digital transformation center while still operating under the Tech4Ed program. We were awarded the title of Most Outstanding Tech4Ed Center in January for the entire region."
No plans to work overseas
As for Recto, she said that at the moment, she has no plan to look for other work.
“I am satisfied with this opportunity, especially considering how difficult it is to find jobs these days. This job has met my financial needs," she said.
She has also learned to manage her work schedule to fit the needs of her chosen career.
"Sometimes, I work seven days a week, but we also have a choice of days off. I usually take my day off on Monday because there is a higher demand for classes on weekends, especially Saturday and Sunday," she added.
Recto said the opportunity provided by the DTC also reduced her desire to find an overseas job or migrate to another place in the country.
"Not only does it keep me close to home, allowing me to stay with my family, but this job is also very beneficial for me, my family, and our town," she said.
She thanked Filminera for providing the necessary resources to the community, such as reliable electricity and Wi-Fi, which are essential for sustaining the online career opportunities offered by the DTC.
Successful collaboration
Ong said a successful partnership between the private and public sectors could significantly expand outreach.
In government, he said, partnerships with various stakeholders are extremely valuable.
For private companies, their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives play a crucial role in addressing community challenges.
"Many companies have CSR programs that can support individuals seeking alternative livelihood opportunities. This is why Filmenera collaborates with agencies, such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Private companies finance the program, providing training, meals, venues, and transportation for the trainees while also supervising the training sessions," he said.
Ong said more than 200 individuals have graduated from the program and are now employed in various digital jobs, providing them with decent and sustainable livelihoods for their families.
“The program has not only provided livelihoods and income for residents of Aroroy, but has also allowed them to work while staying close to home with clients from Vietnam, South Korea, and China, often within the same time zones,” he said.
He added that many of the program beneficiaries, who were only elementary and high school graduates, have begun freelancing.
Online freelancing allows individuals to work from the comfort of their homes, so long as they have the necessary skills and technology.
“If you have an Internet connection, a laptop, and a specific skill, you can earn just as much as you would in a face-to-face setting,” Ong said. “In the past, they borrowed laptops. Now, they own their devices and have stable Internet connections, allowing them to earn a stable income.” (PNA)