Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental— Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, and Aboitiz Foundation, in collaboration with non-government organization Connected Women and the Local Government Unit of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, are seeking to uplift local women through technology-related livelihood opportunities via the ELEVATE AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Data Annotation) program.
First to be implemented in Misamis Oriental, ELEVATE AIDA will pave the way for the free training of 50 women on data annotation and other digital skills to equip them for possible remote work opportunities.
The Memorandum of Agreement for ELEVATE AIDA was signed by Laguindingan Mayor Diosdado Obsioma, Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio and witnessed by Aboitiz InfraCapital Senior Assistant Vice President for Communications and Branding Arline Adeva, and Aboitiz Foundation Impact Lead for Jobs Gero Torres.
In his message, Mayor Obsioma thanked AIC, Aboitiz Foundation, and Connected Women for allowing Laguindingan residents – particularly the women – to learn new digital skills and make them eligible for online work opportunities to help increase their household income while fulfilling their responsibilities at home.
“Bringing ELEVATE AIDA here reflects our commitment to inclusive growth by empowering women in Laguindingan to step into the digital workforce. Together with our partners, we are bridging gaps and opening doors for sustainable opportunities that can uplift families and communities,” Adeva said.
Gervacio emphasized the transformative potential of the program, “This is more than just digital skills training; it’s about creating pathways for women to thrive in a digital-first economy.”
The signing was followed by a program orientation where nearly 60 full-time housewives and unemployed young women from Barangays Moog, Kibaghot, and Liberty were briefed about the requirements and the process of application, screening, and online training. All qualified applicants will receive an allowance during the online training – scheduled to run from January 6 to 24 in 2025- and will be encouraged to sign up for additional free upskilling courses to increase their chances of being employed by Connected Women’s roster of clients across the country.
ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL ELEVATES LAGUINDINGAN WOMEN. (From left) Aboitiz InfraCapital Senior Assistant Vice President of Communications and Branding Arline Adeva; Laguindingan Mayor Diosdado Obsioma; Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio; and Aboitiz Foundation Impact Lead for Jobs Gero Torres during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement to launch the ELEVATE AIDA program in Laguindingan.
Building on the success of AIC’s Connected Women program pilot leg in Davao City last year (co-implemented with AIC business unit Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.), this expansion to Laguindingan affirms AIC’s commitment to help catalyze local development and foster inclusive growth through creation of job opportunities.
The program also aligns with the provincial LGU’s vision to reduce the poverty incidence in Misamis Oriental to a single digit through a comprehensive approach focusing on education, health, infrastructure, livelihood, and community development.
Launched in 202 at the height of the pandemic, ELEVATE AIDA aims to bridge the digital divide for women by providing comprehensive digital training, tools, and employment opportunities in
the digital sector. The initiative supports the national goals of women’s economic empowerment and digital inclusivity while creating a sustainable and empowering digital ecosystem.
About Aboitiz InfraCapital
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, aims to build purpose-driven infrastructure that spurs economic growth and improves lives. It develops Economic Estates as well as Water, Digital Infrastructure, and Transport & Mobility projects that enable businesses and uplift communities.
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s current business units include TARI Estate in Tarlac; LIMA Estate and LIMA Water Corporation in Batangas; Mactan Economic Zone 2 Estate, West Cebu Estate, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu; Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Davao City; and Unity Digital Infrastructure, Inc. It also manages the concession to upgrade, operate, and maintain Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, the country’s sixth-busiest gateway, with the official takeover scheduled for April 2025.
Aboitiz InfraCapital has a minority stake in Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., the fourth-largest private utilities distributor in the country.
About Connected Women
Connected Women is an award-winning social impact organization based in the Philippines, dedicated to upskilling and empowering Filipino women, especially those from vulnerable sectors of society.
Globally, through its data services arm, Mettamatch, the company extends its reach by offering managed data services for AI and automation to international markets, helping businesses worldwide build advanced AI and automation systems
Connected Women is proud to have received global accolades in inclusive innovation, the future of work, e-employment, and women’s empowerment.
To learn more about partnering with Connected Women, visit www.connectedwomen.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/weareconnectedwomen
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectedwomen/
For further queries on this Press Release, please contact:
FRANZ JONATHAN G. DE LA FUENTE
Corporate Communications & Branding Manager
ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL, INC.
[email protected]
