Abalos, private firm ink pact to provide digital training, jobs for 300K women
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Aboitiz Group that targets to provide comprehensive digital training and job opportunities for about 300,000 "unskilled and disadvantaged women" in the next three years.
Dubbed as "Elevate AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Annotation)", the joint initiative was signed by Abalos, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation President and Chief Operations Officer Maribeth L. Marasigan, and Connected Women Co-Founder Ruth Yu-Owen.
Abalos said the DILG supports the program as it “aligns with the government’s strategy to promote inclusive growth for everyone in the country.’’
“With Elevate AIDA Program, women will have more opportunities in the aspect of technology and more remote work options for inclusive and diverse workplaces. This is a crucial step towards building a more innovative and sustainable workforce for the Philippines’ digital future,” Abalos noted.
Specifically, the program will focus on upskilling and reskilling women for future employment, increasing household incomes in urban and remote areas through entrepreneurship, freelancing, and remote work; enabling access to technology and training; and supporting the national digitization project.
Under the program, target beneficiaries will be prepared for work in the AI industry's data annotation field, equipping them with relevant skills for remote work and professional communication.
Abalos called on local government units (LGUs) to support the program and other initiatives that technologically empower and upskill women.
“Let us remember that our community’s strength lies in our united efforts and shared responsibility. When we support this project (Elevate AIDA), we do not only empower women, we are empowering our nation,” he added.
The DILG chief commended Aboitiz Foundation and its partner Connected Women for working with the government to improve the lives of women in the Philippines through nationwide technology upskilling and income-generation programs.