Mayor Greg Gasataya, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, led the graduation rites for 20 beneficiaries of the Elevate AIDA program at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday, June 22.
Gasataya said that the program aims to boost local economic empowerment under the Pag-eskwela to Pagtrabaho (P2P) initiative, which specifically targets students, job seekers, and single mothers from various barangays, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“A lot of women were employed because their percentage of employment is high due to the training and opportunities provided by the Aboitiz Foundation,” Gasataya said as he thanked partner organizations and announced that four graduates had already secured part-time jobs even before completing the program.
Among the first batch of graduates was Christine Joy Maglasang, who is expecting her first child in the coming months.
“I would like to thank Mayor Greg for this valuable opportunity. Even as I prepare for the birth of my first child, this program has given me the chance to learn new skills and save for our family’s future,” she said.
Her fellow graduate Christina Marie Luna also thanked Gasataya, the Aboitiz Foundation, and the Connected Women for providing training and opportunities that would equip participants with high-demand digital skills.
“We all know about the rapidly evolving technologies of today. May we all learn to maximize and utilize them,” Luna said, noting that the opportunity had prepared them for the future.
“We are 20 fortunate Bacolodnon women who were able to avail of this opportunity, and we look forward to more upskilling initiatives in the future,” she added.
The local government provided each participant with a ₱5,000 stipend for the intensive training conducted from May 4 to 29. The program focused on virtual assistance (VA), artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and data annotation.
Following the completion of the course, the Aboitiz Foundation will facilitate immediate job placements to ensure a seamless transition from training to employment.
“It is very meaningful for us. This has been in the works since Women’s Month in March. We are grateful to Mayor Gasataya and the local government for helping bring this initiative to fruition,” said JR Roque, Impact Lead for Jobs at the Aboitiz Foundation.
Recognizing the digital divide and limited employment opportunities for women, the Aboitiz Foundation partnered with the Connected Women, a private organization that also partnered with local government units to empower women by connecting them to local and international job opportunities through the Elevate AIDA program, the press release said.
Agnes Gervacio, Chief Executive Officer of Connected Women, highlighted the program’s significant potential, noting that it has already produced a total of 420 digital workers nationwide.
“They no longer need to leave their homes because they can work remotely. This is a fantastic opportunity for women in Bacolod,” Gervacio said.
Gasataya said beyond technical instruction, the initiative seeks to become a pioneering model for building economic resilience and empowering marginalized sectors in Bacolod City through comprehensive local government support that bridges education and employment.*
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