Spearheaded by Meralco’s Cyber Security Group (CSG) and One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the initiative seeks to equip educators with foundational cybersecurity knowledge and practical strategies to integrate digital safety principles into their classrooms.
Meralco partnered with the Department of Education – National Capital Region (DepEd NCR) and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) for the program’s pilot session, which trained 60 public high school teachers in the NCR.
Education Assistant Secretary for Operations Dr. Jocelyn DR. Andaya, who also serves as regional director, led the session and emphasized the urgency of cybersecurity education in the academe.
“We hope to replicate this so that more teachers will understand the threats to cybersecurity. It is here. It is happening. Awareness is key to ensuring we know what to do,” Andaya stated.
During the session, PNP-NCR Cyber Response Unit and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit Police Colonel Jay Guillermo discussed law enforcement efforts against cybercrimes and urged teachers to be proactive in reporting incidents. The training covered cyber threat identification, responsible digital citizenship, cyberattack response, and cybersecurity career opportunities.
Meralco plans to conduct quarterly awareness training for secondary school teachers across its franchise area, and eventually throughout the country.
“Wavemaker isn’t just an awareness program—it’s a movement to transform Filipinos into responsible digital citizens,” said Meralco chief information security officer Marilene P. Tayag.
Meralco executive vice president and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho further emphasized the pivotal role of educators in cybersecurity awareness, saying teachers are the best partners in pushing this advocacy because they shape students’ digital behavior and resilience. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
