ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Government is using a P15-million technology hub in Cabatuan as a pilot for a planned network of similar facilities in strategic public high schools across the province, aiming to prepare students for emerging industries and address the demand for skilled workers.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the MoRProGRes Iloilo TechnoHub at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School (CNCHS) would provide students with hands-on training in artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, 3D printing, and information and communications technology (ICT).
The provincial government described the project as the country’s first school-based technical-vocational education and innovation hub.
“We want our educational system to produce the human resource that we need. We believe that majority of the human resources our country needs are those belonging in technical-vocational,” Defensor said.
The facility, funded through the Provincial School Board’s Special Education Fund, is envisioned to make students future-ready while expanding Iloilo’s pool of technically skilled workers.
Defensor clarified that the initiative would not be limited to CNCHS. The provincial government plans to establish technohubs in strategically located national high schools to make technical-vocational and technology-driven education more prominent and accessible in the province’s public school system.
The hub will also offer technical-vocational programs in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Defensor led the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 11, with Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, Cabatuan Mayor Elizalde Pueyo, Schools Division of Iloilo officer-in-charge Dr. Ruby Therese Almencion, CNCHS Principal IV Valente Lauro, and DepEd Assistant Regional Director Dr. Miguel Mac Aposin.
Representatives of partner agencies also expressed support for the initiative, including Department of Science and Technology Region 6 Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga, TESDA acting regional director Esther Babalo, and TESDA Iloilo provincial director Florencio F. Sunico Jr./PN
