In a recent session held at Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Barangay Malibay, Pasay City, the broadband and technology company gathered 80 Grade 6 students and 20 parents for an engaging workshop on safe and responsible online behavior.
Empowering the youth in a risky digital age
Spearheaded by the Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group of Converge, the program aims to educate children and their guardians on navigating digital spaces securely, especially as online threats grow more sophisticated.
“As a fiber broadband company—and as we evolve into a broader technology company—we’re committed to advocating for safe digital practices,” said Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason, corporate compliance and data protection officer at Converge.
“Emerging tools like artificial intelligence bring great benefits but also come with risks, including the potential misuse for crimes like online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).”
The session featured a storytelling activity led by compliance officer for privacy Larry Caduada, who introduced the children to “Captain Conrad,” a fictional online protector who guides young internet users—dubbed “Astro Friends”—through digital challenges. The format was designed to make privacy education relatable and fun.
Creating a safer digital environment “Children are the most vulnerable online,” said Converge data privacy manager Atty. Janine Villabeto-Solete. “We created Project PIGLET to empower both students and their parents with knowledge on safe online habits, especially now that gadgets and the internet are everyday tools for learning.”
Principal Jeanne Rejuso of Timoteo Paez Elementary expressed gratitude to Converge for bringing the program to their school.
“Our children are exposed to many risks—not just physically but also emotionally and mentally—especially online. Project PIGLET presented these concerns in a way they could understand,” Rejuso said.
From classrooms to national stage: Project PIGLET recognized
In recognition of its impactful advocacy, Project PIGLET was recently named a finalist for the National Privacy Commission’s Privacy Initiative of the Year, as announced during Privacy Awareness Week in June.
The Pasay session was part of Converge’s broader celebration of Privacy Awareness Week, held from July 14 to 25, which also featured employee engagement activities such as games, a photo booth, and messages of support from company executives.
Converge said it will continue rolling out Project PIGLET in schools nationwide to promote responsible digital citizenship. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
