PORAC, Pampanga – Grade school pupils of an Aeta community in Barangay Sapang Uwak here will be provided with computer and internet literacy courses through a 40-footer mobile computer laboratory that was brought on Thursday by the Army’s Civil- Military Operations Group (CMOG).
“Members of the Aeta community residing in Barangay Sapang Uwak can look forward to having better education as they equip themselves with knowledge in computer technology,” CMOG commander Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., said.
Burgos said the donation with the Aeta students is a concerted effort by the Army, Tuloy Foundation Inc. (TFI) and LLL Holdings Inc. “The TFI president and founder, Fr. Marciano “Rocky” Evangelista, will personally attend the turn-over of the 40-footer mobile computer laboratory to the Aeta community,” Burgos said.
Brig. Gen. Henry Sabarre, deputy commander of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, said the donation from the TFI is a “big leap” for the Aeta students about computer technology and use of the internet. “CMOG led by Colonel Burgos has a lot of soldier- teachers and computer- Internet savvy troops.
All they have to do is send some of them to help supervise the computer-literacy soldiers of the 702nd Infantry Brigade to teach the Aeta students and their parents too. This would be the first time for the tribesmen in in Barangay Sapang Uwak to have hands-on in computer and internet experience,” Sabarre said.
The computer laboratory worth P100,000 will be installed inside the grade school compound in the said barangay.
“This 40-footer mobile computer laboratory has served as a vehicle for the strategic partnership of the Army and TFI in their educational outreach program. After the completion of the two-week computer literacy course of some 20 members of the Aeta community, the MCL will be transferred to another recipient barangay here, where it will stay for another two weeks to serve another set of residents in the area,” Burgos said.
He said more donations for computer laboratories have been worked out by partner- stakeholders of the Army such as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, ICAD Foundation of Turkey, Advance Resources and Creative Solutions School Inc., Leonio Land, Leonio Group of Companies, Rotary Club of Metropolitan Pateros, and Ayala Land.
“The event coincided with the gathering of strategic partners of the Army as they participate in the first ever Army Stakeholders Team Challenge which was organized by CMOG.
This worthy undertaking is aimed to enhance further the camaraderie and teamwork of the Army and its strategic partners as they continue to work hand in hand in serving communities and empowering the citizenry for lasting peace and unhampered development for the country,” Burgos said.
