Around 200 women from southern Negros Occidental have successfully finished the Elevate Artificial Intelligence Data Annotation (AIDA) program, gaining digital skills for remote work opportunities.
The graduates, from the municipalities of Candoni and Ilog, completed the program in ceremonies on Monday. This initiative is supported by the Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women, in partnership with the provincial government and local government units (LGUs). Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who attended the events with Mayors Ray Ruiz of Candoni and John Paul Alvarez of Ilog, described the program as a key tool for empowerment. “In Negros Occidental, we have always believed in the strength and potential of every Negrense woman. With the right support, tools, and opportunities, they rise, and when women rise, the entire communities are uplifted,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
The program targets women, solo parents, stay-at-home mothers, and underserved groups, teaching essential AI and data annotation skills. During the graduation, Lacson praised the women’s achievements, saying, “Take what you have learned and use it not just for yourselves, but to uplift others. When you succeed, share your story with other women who may still be struggling to believe in themselves.”
In September, the provincial government signed a memorandum of agreement with Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Connected Women, and participating LGUs to expand digital inclusion in southern Negros. Building on a 2024 pilot in San Carlos City and Calatrava, where 65 to 75 percent of trainees found jobs, the 15-day training includes a daily allowance and flexible scheduling. Graduates can achieve financial independence and contribute to the global digital economy with these in-demand skills.