𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑦𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. returned to Barangay Baclayan in Oriental Mindoro as part of the observance of Safer Internet Month, conducting its online safety campaign at the Baclayan Mangyan School while strengthening the digital capabilities of its students.

Through its Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group, Converge engaged Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils in Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies), a program designed to enhance digital literacy and promote privacy awareness among young learners.

Eumir Paolo Espiritu, Assistant Vice President and Head of the Data Privacy and Information Security Compliance Team of Converge, said children today are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats such as deception, fraud, identity theft, malware, and computer viruses.

“Converge intends to visit different regions across the country to reach the unserved and underserved and increase the awareness of kids when it comes to data privacy and information security. At Converge, we leave no one behind, so this Safer Internet Month, we visited the indigenous children here in Mindoro to also promote the more responsible and positive use of digital technology,” Espiritu said.

As part of the activity, the company held storytelling sessions and distributed school supplies and snacks to the students.

Converge also enhanced the school’s digital learning facilities by donating learning tablets and a smart TV to the ICT Learning Center of the Stairway Foundation, which supports the students’ educational activities.

“Dahil nga Mangyan school ang aming paaralan, kaunti ang access namin sa equipment kaya malaking tulong ang mga dagdag na kagamitan para sa pag-aaral ng mga bata. Mahalaga rin ang ganitong mga initiative para maging aware ang mga estudyante sa mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran at hindi lang sila gumagamit ng gadgets basta-basta,” said Noemi Bonquin.

The Baclayan Mangyan School currently serves nearly 250 pupils from different Mangyan tribes in Puerto Galera.

Converge first partnered with the Mangyan community in Barangay Baclayan in 2023 through its collaboration with Stairway Foundation. The partnership enabled the installation of free fiber internet at the ICT learning center and the donation of learning tablets to help students develop their digital skills.

The company has also been working with the nonprofit to promote online safety awareness and help combat cyber threats, particularly online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).