(TOP PHOTO) PARTNERSHIP FOR LASTING PEACE. Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar (center right) and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. (center left) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of Elevate AIDA in seven regions nationwide, including BARMM. They’re joined by Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen (leftmost) and Peace Sustainability Cluster Executive Director Susana Guadalupe Marcaida (rightmost) (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU CPAS)
Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr., and Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to roll out the Elevate AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Annotation) Program across BARMM, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bicol Region (Region 5), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Davao Region (Region 11), and CARAGA (Region 13).
Connected Women has been Aboitiz Foundation’s partner in Elevate AIDA since its launch in 2020, providing technical expertise, curriculum development, and job placement support for trainees.
The program will focus on women aged 18 and above, particularly mothers, persons with disabilities, former overseas workers, and internally displaced women or former combatants. Beneficiaries will receive hands-on training in basic data annotation tasks, including image identification, categorization, and labeling—skills that are increasingly in demand in the digital economy.
“Through Elevate AIDA, we are opening doors to remote work, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship—pathways that lead to better incomes, stronger families, and more resilient communities,” said Hontiveros Malvar.
Secretary Galvez described Elevate AIDA as an “innovative” program that strengthens peacebuilding efforts by fostering productivity and economic resilience through sustainable livelihoods.
“If we invest in women, we invest in peace,” Secretary Galvez said. “Elevate AIDA reflects a significant shift toward technology-driven peace and development initiatives that meet the needs, dreams, and aspirations of vulnerable communities.”
Over the next three years, the initiative aims to reach 300,000 under-skilled and disadvantaged women, equipping them with skills for in-demand digital jobs and boosting their financial empowerment.
The partnership supports the shared vision of the Aboitiz Foundation, in collaboration with Connected Women and UN Women, to uplift the lives of women nationwide through inclusive, technology-driven programs. By expanding Elevate AIDA to BARMM and other conflict-affected areas, the initiative seeks to create equitable opportunities while advancing both national and regional digital transformation agendas.
By extending the reach of Elevate AIDA to BARMM and other conflict-affected areas, the partnership is paving the way for a more equitable digital future and contributing to national and regional digital transformation efforts.
The initiative underscores the Aboitiz Foundation’s commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive growth, while reinforcing OPAPRU’s ongoing efforts to build resilient, peaceful communities. Together, these organizations are demonstrating the power of collaboration in addressing systemic challenges and creating lasting impact.
