Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday turned over 25 laptops to three Iloilo local government units under Project ACTIVATE to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) market their products online. The beneficiary municipalities included Janiuay and Cabatuan, each with eight laptops, and Badiangan, with nine laptops.

According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Undersecretary Leandro Aguirre, who personally led the turnover ceremony at the Iloilo provincial capitol, emphasized the potential impact of the initiative on local communities. 'As it expands your market, it allows you to earn more, it allows you to employ more people, you will be able to contribute more to your locality,' Aguirre said. He also highlighted the importance of relevant training following the donation of the laptops.

Aguirre mentioned that the assistance provided to the three municipalities is only the beginning of Project ACTIVATE's implementation in Iloilo. 'Depending on how well the project goes, then we can explore providing additional laptops or additional resources in other projects for Iloilo,' he stated.

Project ACTIVATE is a flagship Trabahong Digital initiative of the DICT designed to bridge the digital divide by providing communities with essential information and communications technology equipment and demand-driven digital skills training. It aims to empower communities by expanding access to technology and creating opportunities in the digital economy.

Aguirre further explained the project's goals by saying, 'ACTIVATE is to provide a complete pathway. The laptops are the first step. What we want to happen, hopefully, is that they can start learning more, building the confidence that they need to be able to put their products online.'