Dualtech Center, Lao Foundation, and Del Monte Foundation collaborate for a ZEP2030 project in Bukidnon

Dualtech Center is collaborating with two well-known advocacy partners — Lao Foundation (LFI) and Del Monte Foundation — for a ZEP2030 project, focusing on education and livelihood. This is the school’s first engagement with Del Monte Foundation, which in turn will link Dualtech and LFI to the local community.

The  Zero Extreme Poverty PH 2030 (ZEP) is a multi-sectoral movement with various private sector and stakeholder convenors, such as LFI. The ZEP2030 has multiple clusters concentrating on different aspects of the local society, but all of which unite to alleviate extreme poverty in the country by the year 2030.

Dualtech is inspired by the ZEP2030 to continue maximizing its linkages and partnerships and tapping its networks of communities in order to reach more areas in the country. On the other hand, the young scholars the school will reach can look forward to more information on how to be trained to be skilled technical professionals who will be in demand locally and even overseas.

In Bukidnon, the group met Senior High School students and teachers in various locations in Brgy. Poblacion in Impasug-ong, Sumilao National High School – Villa Vista Annex, and Libona National High School.

In the career talk, Dr. Rollen Sumo-oy of DepEd-Bukidnon’s Division Office and Senior Education Program Specialist – Social Mobilization & Networking encouraged the young audience by saying: “Pag nag-aral kayo sa Dualtech, after 6 months, may mangyayari sa inyo [If you study in Dualtech, after 6 months, you will achieve much]. The mission and vision of both Dualtech and LFI are very strong and that is to change lives. Dualtech has many industry partners where you can be trained and employed thereafter”.

In a story published by LFI, they expressed this message: “We would like to thank Del Monte Foundation for accommodating the LFI and Dualtech Training Center Foundation during our visit. Thank you also for coordinating with the schools, LGUs and for mobilizing the attendees. Thank you to the Dualtech Training Center Foundation for the continued support in all our programs and projects. We are grateful to have a partner that consistently aligns with LFI’s mission, vision, and values.”

This is one of the community-based programs of LFI.

About the community

In terms of magnitude of poor families and poor population, Bukidnon recorded the largest number of poor population and poor families in the region. In PSA report in 2022, Bukidnon recorded the largest number of poor families in the region with 115,000 thousand families or 36.9 percent of the total poor families in Region 10. Likewise, Bukidnon registered the largest number of poor population at 605,500 poor individuals or 35.3 percent of the total poor population in Region 10.

About Del Monte Foundation Inc:

Del Monte Foundation, Inc. in the Philippines manages Del Monte Philippines, Inc.’s corporate social responsibility in local communities by pushing social progress by promoting health and basic community services, livelihood programs, rural education, and environmental conservation. The Foundation enables the company to sustain over 100 communities in the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental in Mindanao, southern Philippines.

About LFI:

Established in 2010, Lao Foundation, Inc. (LFI) grew out of the informal outreach programs of the D&L Industries’ Holding  and member companies in the communities where  the group operates. Main programs include scholarships and values formation to in–need students.

About ZEP2030:

“Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines by 2030” is a civil society-led movement that was launched in 2015 to serve as a platform for collaborative action to help reduce extreme poverty in the Philippines. Know more at their website: http://zeropovertyph.net/