Aetas thank Converge for internet service, tablets
CLARK FREEPORT – Aeta teachers and parents from the CDC-OB Pagsasarili Family Care Centers thanked one of the nation's top telecommunications companies for providing free internet access and 100 learning tablets.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Converge ICT Solutions and other partners following the signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the telecom provider and the Mabalacat City government on Thursday, September 29.
John Mark Sison, one of the teachers at the
Pagsasarili centers, said having a stable and fast internet connectivity and learning tablets would help with educating the children.
“Thank you, Converge ICT, for the learning tablets and for providing our school with free internet connection. These will allow for even more advanced learning. Children will be able to readily view nursery rhymes online and download educational apps,” Sison said.
“Masaya ang mga bata, excited po sila matanggap yung mga tablets, at kaming mga teachers na magkaroon ng free internet lalo na sobrang hina signal sa amin po. Maraming Salamat po,” he added.
For Rowena Miranda, the free internet connectivity and learning from Converge ICT is a blessing. She also vowed to do their part given the access to information communications technol ogy.
“We may not be able to reciprocate your kindness but one thing is for sure, we will continually make progress for the betterment of our lives,” Miranda wrote in English.
“On behalf of the teachers of the CDC-OB Pagsasarili, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Jose "Ping" De Jesus, former Clark Development Corporation Chairman, now the chairman of Converge, for the free internet service and learning gadgets,” Miranda, an Aeta teacher from Macapagal village here. Likewise,
Janet Sibal, said “Ako po ay nagpapasalamat at napabilang kami sa listahan ng project beneficiaries ng CDC-OB Pagsasarili Family Care Center na maituturing na pang international ang kalidad ng edukasyon. At bilang Aeta teacher isa pong pribilehiyo na makapagturo sa kapwa ko Aeta at mga kababayan kong Mabalaqueño,” according to Sibal, one of the pioneer teachers in the center since it started in 2019.
It can be recalled that Jose “Ping” De Jesus, chairman of Converge ICT Solutions envisions a self-sustaining Aeta community that will be connected in the larger economy.
“My vision is in 15 years or 20 years, we will see more Aeta children going to college and graduating as professionals,” De Jesus said.
According to Vilma Mercado, a teacher and parent at Marcos Center, learning tools and access to the internet will allow Aeta to explore the same educational opportunity with non-Aeta students.
“I’m pleased to see my son become more orderly and practicing hygiene, and that we are both learning together. Now, he is even more motivated to learn,” Mercado said in Filipino.
Dennis Anthony Uy, co-founder and chief executive officer of Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. and Mayor Crisostomo Garbo of the Mabalacat City government led the MOU signing and witnessed by the Clark Development Corporation. The ceremonial MOU signing was held Thursday, September 29 at the visitors center in Clark Museum here.
Aeta beneficiaries also extended their gratitude to the executives of CDC.
Under the MOU, Converge ICT will provide a single internet service line to the CDC in support national and local governments in its endeavors by giving world class-connectivity and services to improve the quality of learning and education here.