The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Aboitiz Foundation have partnered to provide comprehensive digital training and employment opportunities to 300,000 underskilled and disadvantaged women over the next three years. DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operations officer Maribeth L. Marasigan, and Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the joint initiative dubbed Elevate AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Annotation) Program in simple rites at the DILG main office in Quezon City on Tuesday. The program is in line with the government’s strategy to promote inclusive growth in the country, Abalos said. ‘With Elevate AIDA Program, women will have more opportunities in the aspect of technology and more remote work options for inclusive and diverse workplaces. This is a crucial step towards building a more innovative and sustainable workforce for the Philippines’ digital future,’ Abalos said in a statement on Thursday. Specifically, the program will be focused on upskilling and reskilling women for future employment, increasing household incomes in both urban and remote areas through entrepreneurship, freelancing, and remote work, enabling access to technology and training, and supporting the national digitization project. Target beneficiaries will also be prepared for work in the AI industry’s data annotation field, equipping them with relevant skills for remote work and professional communication. Abalos called on local government units to support the program and other initiatives that technologically empower and upskill women. ‘Let us remember that our community’s strength lies in our united efforts and shared responsibility. When we support this project [Elevate AIDA], we do not only empower women, we are empowering our nation,’ he said. He likewise commended Aboitiz Foundation and its partner Connected Women for working with the government in improving the lives of women in the Philippines through nationwide technology upskilling and income-generation programs.
Source: Philippines News Agency
