INTEL Philippines Inc. has introduced a new platform the company said aims to maximize productivity, boost device ownership and promote digital inclusiveness in the country.
“We know that digital literacy efforts would only go so far. This is why we looked for an opportunity to help beneficiaries take the next step in their digital literacy journey by providing them affordable options to own a device,” Intel Philippines Country Manager Calum Chisholm said during the launch of the platform called DigiBuy Device Ownership (DBDO).
The beneficiaries Chisholm referred to are people the company enlisted for its corporate social responsibility program called DigiBayanihan.
Launched in September last year, DigiBayanihan is a network of groups organized by multinational company Intel that aims to promote digital literacy.
During the platform’s launch on August 27, Chisholm said the DBDO offers modules, like bookkeeping and financial literacy to enhance DigiBayanihan beneficiaries’ skills, among others.
“In terms of digital skills, it depends on what direction the people want to go. We have training on vocational skills like how to create a CD, how to use spreadsheets, how to use accounting device. It really depends on what area and direction the people want to go.”
Three existing DigiBayanihan partners were tapped for the initial roll out of the DBDO: the National Confederation Cooperatives (Natcco), the Philippine Society of IT Educators and the Technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines.
Volunteers belonging to these organizations are entitled to own affordable Intel devices, whether for leisure or livelihood, by taking loans from their respective organizations. On the other hand, beneficiaries of the DigiBayanihan program can avail of the platform through the DigiBuy page in Lazada, available starting September 1. Retail outlets will also eventually roll out “DigiBuy corners” for DigiBayanihan beneficiaries, according to documents provided by Chisholm.
In a document, an Acer Iconia B1-750, with a suggested retail price of (SRP) P5,990, for example, can be available to DigiBayanihan members at the NATCCO price of P5,690. An Acer Switch 10, on the other hand, which has an SRP of P19,990 could be bought via Natcco for less than P2,000. Another Acer product carrying an SRP of P24,990 would have a Natcco tag price of P22,599.50.
The network allows us to tap individuals who have limited to no access to digital devices, according to Sreenivas Narayanan, founder of nonprofit group Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (Assist). “By introducing the [DBDO], these individuals have more opportunities to learn and apply their digital skills in their daily lives.”
“While we see an increased adoption of digital devices in Southeast Asia and in the Philippines, there is still a growing gap in digital skills that needs to be addressed in order to fully take advantage of the benefits of the digital age. We introduced Digibayanihan to promote digital inclusiveness in the country to empower Filipinos with access to digital skills training and devices,” Prakesh Mallya, Intel Southeast Asia managing director, said.
Mallya said 70 million Filipinos are “digitally unreached.”
“If they remain unreached, the country will be missing formation development. But if they are ‘digitally uplifted,’ they can change the landscape of the society.”
Mallya said the “digitally uplifted” can experience “equality in life” and increase their “employability.”