Siargao women catch AI wave with new digital skills

Insider Spotlight

• Siargao women are learning AI and digital skills that can open pathways to remote work
• Elevate AIDA recently graduated 20 women in Del Carmen, with another batch starting in October
• The program offers women a way to pursue digital livelihoods while remaining in their communities
  
  
  
  

For Kimberly Arevalo, building a digital career no longer means choosing between earning an income and staying home in Siargao to help care for her younger brother.

Arevalo is among 20 women in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, who recently completed Elevate AIDA, a digital livelihood program of Aboitiz Foundation with Connected Women. Participants learn artificial intelligence data annotation and practical digital tools such as Google Sheets.

Why it matters

Remote digital work can be particularly relevant for women in island communities such as Siargao, where geography, caregiving responsibilities and limited local opportunities can make traditional employment harder to access. Digital skills can widen the range of work they can pursue without requiring them to relocate from the island.

For Arevalo, the training has already led to an upcoming LiDAR project with Connected Women.

“I never imagined I could build a career while helping my mom care for my younger brother at home. From being an Elevate AIDA trainee, I am now part of an upcoming LiDAR project with Connected Women,” she said. “I’m grateful for how one opportunity opened more doors for me to earn and learn.”

Zoom in

Another batch of Siargao women is set to begin training in October, according to a company release from Aboitiz Foundation.

Aboitiz Foundation president Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar said Elevate AIDA is designed to bring digital opportunities closer to women who may face barriers to traditional employment because of geography, caregiving responsibilities or limited work experience.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally accessible. Elevate AIDA helps bridge that gap by giving women the skills and confidence to participate in the digital economy wherever they are,” Hontiveros-Malvar said. “And when one woman finds work, supports her family, or comes back to help the next batch, that opportunity begins to multiply.”

The ripple effect

That multiplier effect is already emerging in Siargao through Paulyn Navia, an Elevate AIDA graduate who returned as an assistant trainer for Connected Women. Navia helped upskill the latest graduates in self-discovery, personal branding and preparation for remote work.

“As an Elevate AIDA graduate, I’m happy to be able to share what I learned and help other women gain skills they can use for remote work and other opportunities,” Navia said.

Elevate AIDA has graduated more than 3,000 women nationwide. Together with AIDA Plus, the programs have produced nearly 4,750 graduates, while Aboitiz Foundation aims to upskill 300,000 Filipinos nationwide. — Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma