With its mission to champion digital literacy and foster digital bayanihan, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 5, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through its Provincial Colleges, distributed a total of 75 laptops under its Project CLICK to students of Baao Community College (BCC) and Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community College (GMVCC) Libmanan simultaneously at Baao and Libmanan on May 2, 2025.
The Project CLICK, or Courses for Literacy in Internet and Computer Knowledge, helps in bridging the digital divide by enhancing digital literacy, providing access to digital tools, as well as information and communication technology (ICT) trainings. This initiative helps students achieve greater academic success by unlocking new opportunities in the digital world.
Under the project, a series of digital training sessions will be conducted, with topics on cyber security, cyber hygiene, and responsible use of social media. It will also cover the productivity tools and the proper use of Microsoft Office to help students equip themselves with the skills, confidence, and awareness to navigate the digital world wisely and responsibly.
“We know many students face challenges, and through this project, we hope to make learning a little easier and give you access to this kind of technology that can really make a difference in your lives. Para sa mga minamahal naming estudyante, para saindo ining mga laptop, gamiton nindo ini dai lang para suportahan an saindong pag-aadal, kundi bilang susi para mabuksan an saindong potensyal. Dakulang salamat po asin padagos kitang mag iribahan para sa mas mahusay, marigmat, asin mas eksklusibong Camarines Sur,” shared ASec. Wilroy Ticzon, DICT Assistant Secretary for Upskilling and Consumer Protection.
Twenty-one-year-old Kim Baricante from Station Church Site, Libmanan, and a 3rd year Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education Electrical student of GMVCC Libmanan, shared how he struggled from using only cellphone to do his school activities to being a recipient of the new laptop. “Naoogma po ako ta sa kadakol dakol pong estudyante kang GMVCC Libmanan, saro po ako sa napili na mabenepisyuhan kaini pong programang hatod kan DICT. Dakulang tabang po ini lalo na sako ta mayo po akong ginagamit na laptop. Cellphone lang po, dipisil mag-edit, dipisil maggibo kang mga files.”
“Pero ngunyan pong napabilang ako sa mabebenepisyuhan kang DICT, maogma po dahil mapapadali na an sakong pag-edit asin paggibo kang mga papers lalong lalo na po an samuyang thesis o research paper. Saro pa po, dahil kabali po ako sa student council asin sarong public information officer, mas mapapagayon na po ang pag-edit ko ning publication materials,” added Baricante.
Another student-recipient from BCC is fourteen-year-old Jovy Joy Laniog from Caranday, Baao, and a 2nd year Bachelor of Secondary Education student. Upon receiving the equipment, Laniog gratefully noted, “Sobrang laking tulong din po talaga nitong laptop na binigay po sa amin in terms of improving our creativity, and yung pag-discover po ng dapat pa po naming malaman in terms of technology. Yung struggle ko po before, mapapadali na. Wala ng stress kung kanino ba ako makikisuyo. Ngayon po, sobrang blessed na po. Makakapag-submit na po on time, mas mai-improve ko na po yung mga activities, at yung skills na mayroon po ako ngayon.”
DICT Region 5 OIC Regional Director Rachel Ann Grabador also reinforced the department’s strategic goal of fostering digital empowerment. In her speech, she shared, “The Project CLICK is an initiative rooted in our commitment to build an inclusive, digitally-empowered nation. More than just the equipment, we are handling over tools for digital transformation. Itong mga equipment na to, we can use to unlock our potentials, develop our basic skills in using computers, enhance our learning, and prepare our youth to thrive in the rapidly digital-evolving world.”
“To our teachers, administrators, and academic leaders, thank you for being our partners in this journey. Let us continue fostering the shared responsibility to uplift our communities through cooperation, compassion, and commitment to digital advancement. May today mark the beginning of stronger partnerships, greater empowerment, and limitless possibilities,” added RD Grabador.
A ceremonial signing of deed of donation and inventory transfer report marked the formal turnover of ICT digital equipment to students. Beyond providing laptops, the turnover ceremony is a testament of the collaboration and shared responsibility between the government and the academe in championing the education sector, particularly the students and the community, through digital education.
