The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) distributed 45 laptops to selected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in the 6th Congressional District of Negros Occidental, expanding digital access in several southern towns.
DICT Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Christine Faye M. Condez-De Sagon led the turnover ceremony in Kabankalan City alongside 6th District Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez, on Friday, February 20.
Mayors and barangay officials from the towns Candoni, Cauayan, Ilog, and Hinoba-an attended the event.
The agency released the units under Project CLICK, a nationwide program that provides digital literacy training, cyber hygiene education, and ICT equipment to partner communities.
DICT reported that it has distributed more than 2,067 laptops and 383 desktop units across the country as part of the initiative.
De Sagon said the program equips local communities with tools and skills needed to participate in an increasingly digital environment, in line with the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to accelerate digital transformation and address the digital divide.
She also said the department continues to roll out initiatives beyond Project CLICK, including the establishment of Digital Transformation Centers in all regions nationwide.
According to De Sagon, these centers serve as community hubs that provide internet access, digital skills training, and access to e-government and online business services, particularly in underserved areas.
Meanwhile, Alvarez said the laptops would directly support barangay and SK officials in carrying out their duties, including documentation, reporting, and coordination with national agencies.
She stressed that officials in hinterland communities often face limited access to digital resources compared to those in urban centers.
Alvarez expressed hope that DICT would extend similar support to more areas in the district, acknowledging the agency’s limited budget and the growing demand for digital tools in geographically isolated communities.
Officials said the equipment will also assist students, educators, and community leaders in Kabankalan City, Sipalay City, and neighboring municipalities as they strengthen digital literacy and improve local service delivery.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.