Eastern Communications promotes digitalization in the education sector, builds strong connections for the holidays

Eastern Communications and AMCHAM Foundation representatives in support of AMCHAM’s  Adopt A School Program

In this season of giving, premier telecommunications company and ICT solutions provider Eastern Communications carries out its high-touch initiatives to celebrate the significance of genuine human connections, particularly to the education sector.

In line with its "Emerge for a Stronger Tomorrow" campaign, Eastern Communications has continuously demonstrated its long-standing advocacy of supporting the education sector by promoting digital transformation and technological advancement. The company also aims to promote the intrinsic value of bayanihan that Filipinos share, encouraging everyone to give a helping hand.

Eastern Communications recently donated around 120 units of Cisco internet routers to the University of Sto. Tomas’ Faculty of Engineering. The department was selected to support the nation's future tech and innovation leaders. This endeavor will allow the school’s instructors and students to have the necessary tools for their UST Networking Laboratory, network protocol simulations, and other educational needs. As an advocate of democratizing digital solutions for all, Eastern is anticipating another round of router donations for more schools that are in need of connectivity tools. The telecommunications company has also been UST’s constant provider and longtime partner.

"By providing them with the tools they need for their digital learning, we hope to communicate our values to the next generation of innovators and leaders. These are not only gifts; this is our way of promoting technological literacy and uplifting both youth and educators,” Eastern Communications Head of Marketing Division Jed Estanislao said.

Moreover, Eastern Communications continuously achieves its goal of supporting the return to face-to-face learning by partnering with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham Philippines) Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Program.

Through AmCham’s initiative, Eastern Communications was able to provide for one of the program’s public school beneficiaries, Lunduyan na Pinagpala ng Panginoon Academy Inc. in Caloocan, by offering desktop units, as well as back-to-school health and hygiene kits for the whole student body.

With the Department of Education (DepEd) officially allowing schools the resumption of face-to-face classes, one of the biggest concerns identified by educational institutions is preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom. The telco's donation of back-to-school kits includes sanitary and personal hygiene items like temperature scanners, alcohol, face masks, and hand soaps that will help both students and teachers maintain good health and curb the spread of the virus.

"The AmCham Foundation would like to thank Eastern Communications for their generous donation, which will assist in making our public schools a safer place for students this school year. Together with our partners, we hope to continue this effort in making an impact in people's lives," said Candy Angeles-Gabriel, American Chamber Foundation Philippines Inc. (AMCHAM) Events Manager.

Most recently, the telecommunications provider, together with other DMCI Homes Communities, supported DMCI's Community Outreach Program for the refurbishment of the educational facilities at the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS). The outreach program includes the renovation of UPIS' restrooms, playground, and the repainting of its building entry, among other areas. According to DMCI - Prisma Residences Condominium Corporation Area Manager Jayson Lucea, all of UPIS' students will benefit from this project, and they will have a more conducive learning environment through the facility upgrades.

“Our group strongly believes that students would be able to achieve greater education when they are put in a proper environment,” said Lucea.

“In the past years, we pushed for e-learning initiatives because many of our young educators and leaders were still getting used to taking classes online. However, now that we gradually return to traditional classrooms, we are happy to support our Filipino teachers and students in our own unique ways,” added Estanislao.

Through the years, Eastern has launched various programs in support of the academic sector. These efforts include providing connectivity for public educational sites like the Mind Museum and BGC Arts Center and the launch of its "Onward: Nurturing Fearless Educators" webinar, in collaboration with DepEd. The latter event distributed Teacher's Kits for a more effective online teaching experience. The company also launched its own "Eastern Playground", a virtual hackathon for students created in collaboration with the Philippine Society of Information Technology (PSITE).

Eastern Communications targets to further mount other educational initiatives, as it strongly believes in the value of uplifting the sector, sharing information to improve technical literacy, and will soon be providing connectivity access to more schools.

To learn more about Eastern Communications services, visit eastern.com.ph. Stay tuned as it unveils its new website soon.