The Marinduque Digital Literacy Impact Report: Stories, Skills, and Community Change (2023–2025)

The Kaluppâ Foundation’s Digital Literacy Program empowered 226 Marinduque residents across all six municipalities with essential computer and online skills, creating measurable community impact through strengthened partnerships, real-life applications, and a shared vision for a more digitally inclusive, future-ready province.

24 January 2026 | Rafael Seño, Kaluppâ Foundation Team

In an age where opportunity, education, and connection are increasingly found online, digital skills are no longer a luxury—they are a necessity. For many rural communities like those in the beautiful province of Marinduque, the "digital divide" is a pressing challenge. It is a barrier preventing farmers and fisherfolk from accessing modern markets, disaster-affected households from connecting to online relief services, and talented individuals from participating fully in the growing digital economy.

But what if a single program could open a door to this new world? What if we could equip our communities with the tools to build a more resilient future? This is the hopeful solution the Kaluppâ Foundation has brought to life. Through a dedicated, community-based initiative, we are ensuring that no one in Marinduque is left behind.

The Mission: How the Digital Literacy Program Came to Life

From 2023 to 2025, the Kaluppâ Foundation Inc. launched its flagship "Digital Literacy Training for Rural Communities: Computer Applications and Internet Essentials" program. Designed to be both accessible and impactful, the initiative was held at the Kaluppâ Integrated Farm and in community venues provided by local barangays, meeting people where they are. Its success was built not just on a powerful idea, but on the strength of collaboration.

The program's impact was amplified by strategic partnerships with key local agencies:

Kaluppâ Foundation Inc.: As the lead agency, the foundation drove this community-based initiative, grounding it in a deep understanding of local needs and aspirations.
DICT Marinduque: The Department of Information and Communications Technology provided crucial technical guidance and resource support, ensuring the training was aligned with national digital inclusion goals.
TESDA Marinduque: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority helped open pathways for participants to gain certification, boosting their employability and connecting them to further opportunities.

Together, this partnership created a powerful engine for change, and the results speak for themselves.

The Results: A Story Told in Numbers

Between 2023 and 2025, the Digital Literacy Program achieved significant, measurable success that goes far beyond a simple training course. The numbers below paint a clear picture of a community embracing new skills and a future full of possibility.

226 Individuals Empowered: This isn't just a number; it represents 226 farmers, fisherfolk, TESDA alumni, 4Ps beneficiaries, out-of-school youth, and disaster-affected households whose lives have been directly and positively impacted by new skills and newfound confidence.
Province-Wide Coverage: The program reached all six municipalities of Marinduque. This demonstrates a deep commitment to equity, ensuring that opportunity was not limited by geography.
66.4% Women Participants: This is a powerful victory for gender equality. By creating an accessible and supportive environment, the program empowered a majority of women—a group often at a disadvantage in accessing technology—to become digitally proficient.
4.90 out of 5 "Outstanding" Rating: This near-perfect score comes directly from the people who matter most: the participants. It is a testament to the high quality, relevance, and positive experience of the training they received.

These statistics are more than just data points; they are the foundation upon which real, life-changing skills were built.

More Than Just Numbers: Real Skills for Real Life

The true success of the Digital Literacy Program lies in the practical, life-changing skills that participants took back to their homes, schools, and workplaces. The training was carefully designed to be immediately applicable, empowering individuals to navigate the digital world with competence and confidence.

Essential Work and School Skills Participants learned to master fundamental productivity tools like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the creative platform Canva. This has enabled them to create professional resumes, manage data for small businesses, build compelling reports, and design presentations for school projects.
Safe and Smart Online Navigation A core focus of the program was on digital citizenship and safety. Trainees learned about cyber awareness, data privacy under Republic Act 10173, and practical measures to protect themselves from online threats like identity theft and fake news. This knowledge is crucial for safely participating in the digital world.
Digital Tools for Livelihoods The skills gained are already making a tangible difference. Farmers are exploring ways to promote their agri-products online, small business owners are using digital tools for financial management, and barangay workers are enhancing their public service through improved documentation and communication.

The most powerful way to understand this impact, however, is to hear it directly from the participants themselves.

Voices from the Community

These are the authentic stories of the people whose lives have been touched by the Digital Literacy Program. Their personal stories of empowerment are the fuel for the foundation's ambitious plans for the future.

“We really enjoyed this computer training at Kaluppâ, especially the topics on technology. We loved the new knowledge in Excel and PowerPoint because we really need it, and it will help us in school. It was also our first time at Kaluppâ. It was fun, we experienced a lot, met new people, and it was enjoyable because of the nature and the beautiful surroundings with many plants.”
Jessa & Jeseca Ricohermoso

“This training is meaningful to me. I learned many lessons that will help me in using a computer and social media. The computer will also help in farming in terms of promoting products, agri-products, vegetables, and crops.”
Marvin Regis, Licensed Agriculturist

“I’m studying computers because I need to keep up. I didn’t know what my children knew, and there were jobs I couldn’t do. On a scale of 1-10, I was probably at a 1. I was intimidated at first because at my age, I knew nothing, but it turned out to be so fun and very exciting! Future trainees should definitely go through this because it’s so easy and very productive. I will make this an advocacy and I will share it with others.”
Pastor Leonard Larrosa

“What I will learn in this training is very important because in this day and age, we need computer literacy. I believe that what I have learned here will really help my service as a barangay official. My service will be better if I am computer literate. Because of this training, we will have personal growth, our opportunities will increase. We should be loaded with knowledge, like facing a battle with ammunition.”
Sergio Mataac, Barangay Official

The Journey Ahead: Building a Future-Ready Marinduque

The success of the 2023–2025 program is just the beginning. The Kaluppâ Foundation is committed to building on this strong foundation to create an even greater and more lasting impact across the province.

Our vision for the future includes:

Expanding our reach with a plan for 12 training sessions in 2026—one batch per month with 25 participants each—to empower 300 more individuals throughout the year.
Introducing advanced modules on cutting-edge topics like e-commerce and cybersecurity to prepare participants for emerging digital opportunities.
Establishing a dedicated Digital Literacy Hub at the Kaluppâ Integrated Farm, creating a permanent, well-equipped center for learning and innovation for the entire community.

This is a journey of transformation, and we invite you to become a part of this ongoing mission.

Be a Part of the Story

The Kaluppâ Foundation is dedicated to a simple but powerful mission: bridging the digital divide to ensure every person in Marinduque has the opportunity to thrive. The Digital Literacy Program has proven that with the right tools and support, we can unlock incredible potential within our communities. But there is so much more to do. Your support, whether through funding, partnership, or advocacy, will help us reach more learners and build a more inclusive future for all.

Your support can open doors to new jobs, better livelihoods, and endless opportunities. For just ₱15,000, you can sponsor an entire training batch of 25 individuals.

Choose your impact:

₱15,000 – Support 1 batch (25 participants)
₱45,000 – Support 3 batches (75 participants)
₱180,000 – Sponsor the full-year program (300 participants!)

Ready to make a difference? Let us work hand in hand to build a future-ready Marinduque—one household, one community at a time.

Connect With Us

Email: education@kaluppa.org
Website: www.kaluppa.org
Socials: www.facebook.com/kaluppapgh

Download the Full Impact Report

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The Digital Literacy Training for Rural Communities program is a free, hands-on initiative by the Kaluppâ Foundation, in collaboration with DICT Marinduque and TESDA Marinduque. The primary goal is to bridge the digital divide and ensure economic empowerment by giving rural residents, such as farmers, barangay workers, and job applicants, fundamental skills for employment and livelihood. The training covers essential tools like MS Word (to create resumes), MS Excel (for budget spreadsheets), and vital modules on Cybersecurity and Data Privacy. This program is critical because 65% of Filipino households lack internet access, hindering growth. Since 2023, the program has trained 226 participants and received Outstanding evaluations, averaging 4.90 out of 5.