By Recthie T. Paculba
CAMIGUIN (PIA) -- Closing digital education gaps and promoting inclusivity in the island province, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-10 and the provincial government of Camiguin unveiled the Localized and Accessible Knowledge for Inclusive Progress (LAKIP) program on January 7 at the Ugmad Site.
The LAKIP program aims to enhance employability, promote lifelong learning, and empower communities by providing a comprehensive learning management system that offers courses translated into the Visayan dialect.
“This is a big step gyud sa ato sa Camiguin sa pag-level up nato sa skills sa atong mga tao dinhi and of course to provide pa gyud bag-o nga mga opportunities sa atong constituents," said Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.
(This is a big step for us in Camiguin to level up the skills of our people and provide new opportunities for our constituents.)
He also expressed gratitude for the strong support from national agencies, emphasizing that progress in the province continues because of teamwork and unity.
Fostering digital literacy and inclusion:
Regional Director Sittie Rahma Alawi of DICT-10 emphasized the inclusive nature of the LAKIP program, designed to make digital skills accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or education level.
“Our platform has ICT courses translated into Bisaya. Ang nag-translate ng mga courses na ito (the translators) are also the teachers from DepEd (Department of Education)," Alawi explained, adding that another key objective is to inspire marginalized communities, the elderly, out-of-school youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to embrace digital learning.
Axel Salise, a DICT beneficiary and PWD focal person in Camiguin, shared his experience with the program’s inclusive approach, saying, "Ang atong LAKIP nga program from DICT walay discrimination. From the word “lakip,” inclusive, so nalakip gyud mi. So we have potential PWDs nga nahatagan og higayon nga makaapil sa maong training."
(Our LAKIP program from DICT has no discrimination. The word "lakip," which implies inclusivity, genuinely encompasses us. This has given potential PWDs the opportunity to participate in the training.)
According to him, learning is a lifelong process, and in the realm of digital technology, failing to update and upgrade increases the risk of being left behind.
Honing potentials
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-10 Regional Director Rafael Abrogar II pledged full support for the program, highlighting the synergy between DICT, TESDA, and the provincial government.
"Kining mga gi-offer sa DICT, kining mga short courses nga ilang ihatag, nagtuo kami nga dako na og tabang pud sa among mga graduates (The short courses offered by DICT will undoubtedly complement TESDA’s efforts to uplift our graduates)," he said, adding that TESDA-10 commits to amplify the program through their over 400 vocational-technical institutions in the region.
Further elaborating on the benefits of the LAKIP program, Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo stated that the platform will significantly aid in facilitating employment in the province. "It's really nice to develop people on online opportunities," he said.
The representative is optimistic that their efforts in training people will yield positive results and benefit the next generation, even though it will take time.
Camiguin Congressman Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, left, Governor Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo and DICT-10 Director Sittie Rahma Alawi during the Lakip launching in the island province.
Romualdo emphasized that the launch of LAKIP program symbolizes the province’s commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable development. Through partnerships with national agencies, he said Camiguin will continue to push for digital transformation, especially in boosting the province's tourism sector, ensuring that progress remains accessible to all sectors of society. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
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