CEBU CITY, Philippines (Jul 2026) — Agriculture students in the upland communities of Cebu are getting a major boost as they swap traditional methods for tech-driven learning.
The Cebu Technological University Cebu City Mountain Campus serves as a vital educational hub for youth across Visayas and Mindanao. However, many of its students lack access to basic technology, making it hard to keep up with modern agricultural research.
Bridging the digital divide in the mountains
To help address this gap, the PLDT-Smart Foundation partnered with the Cebu Diversified Advocacy Cooperative to deliver crucial digital tools, office supplies, and farming kits to the school. The donation includes a laptop pre-loaded with e-learning materials, a printer, and essential office equipment.
Alma Rosillo-Magno, a faculty member at the university's agriculture department, shared that this is the first time the campus has received such a donation. She explained that the equipment will significantly improve classroom instruction and research, especially since the vast majority of their students do not have personal laptops.
Growing a sustainable future
Alongside the tech upgrades, the foundation distributed PlantSmart kits filled with vegetable seeds, loam soil, and fertilizers. These resources aim to upgrade the campus garden while training students to grow their own food and practice sustainable farming right in their communities.
Foundation president Ma. Esther O. Santos emphasized that young people have the power to transform the future of agriculture by combining fresh ideas with modern technology. The back-to-school program reflects a broader effort to provide quality digital education across the country while meeting global sustainable development goals.
