True to its commitment to nation-building, Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) partners with TATA Consultancy Services and the Rotary Club of Valle Verde to provide supplementary digital education to Calawis National High School (CNHS) in the province of Rizal. Through the AlasKarunungan program, the parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 01 September 2023 at the Makati Head Office of AMC.
AlasKarunungan, a digital literacy program, is one of AMC’s Corporate Purpose Responsibility (CPR) programs. It aims to bridge the digital divide, particularly in some rural areas of the country, by immersing students in months-long basic computer education programs and introducing them to previously unavailable technologies.
“This partnership will make a remarkable impact on our learners by capacitating them through various ICT-related activities that AMC and its partners could provide coupled with technology. Our learners would acquire new knowledge and skills which will eventually give them an edge when they traverse to their tertiary life,” said Rodrigo Ditarro, immediate past principal of CNHS.
AMC initially launched the program in February 2020 by turning over fifteen (15) units of computers and by providing essential learning support for the Dumagat community in Antipolo City, Rizal. However, in March 2020, the program was halted due to the nationwide lockdowns and health protocols due to COVID-19.
“Knowing the limited access to jobs and other opportunities for indigenous communities in the Philippines, AMC recognizes that it is not just right but also sustainable to educate them to give tools and knowledge they need for the future,” said AMC Corporate Affairs Director Atty. Maria Angela Esquivel.
The revival of the AlasKarunungan is a clear manifestation of AMC’s dedication to improving the lives of Filipinos. With this, indigenous individuals can engage in online platforms, access educational resources, and connect with other indigenous communities globally, fostering collaboration and empowerment, leading to economic self-sufficiency, job creation, and income generation within indigenous communities.