DigiPlus Foundation has officially opened its first FutureSmart: PLUS Center in Masbate, transforming the digital landscape for one of the Bicol Region’s most remote island communities.
The facility, located at the Liceo de San Jacinto Foundation (LSJF), marks the fourth technology hub established by the foundation.
The project converted the school’s existing computer laboratory into a modern digital center equipped to meet current industry standards for technology-driven education.
Ticao Island often faces geographical isolation and frequent weather disruptions, making access to modern tools a challenge.
As the only institution on the island offering tertiary education, LSJF serves approximately 90 percent of the local student population, including 400 high schoolers and 2,200 college students.
According to DigiPlus Executive Director Angela Camins-Wieneke, the center aims to bridge the digital divide and skills gaps by delivering infrastructure investments directly to underserved communities.
She noted that the foundation’s mission is to provide community-specific impact, building on previous successes in Cebu and General Santos.
The upgrade is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic growth by equipping students with skills essential for the digital economy.
Beyond serving the LSJF student body, the facility will provide a venue for community-based programs, livelihood workshops, and support for neighboring schools across the island.
Dr. Francisco P. Altarejos, San Jacinto Municipal Mayor and LSJF Chairman, welcomed the development as a necessary evolution for local education.
He emphasized that the new resources will allow the institution to deliver future-ready learning and enhance instructions for the evolving workforce.
The inauguration was attended by Camins-Wieneke, Altarejos, and DigiPlus Program Manager for Education and Livelihood, Neil Don Orillaneda.