Iloilo breaks ground on PH’s first school-based technohub
A PHP 15 million school-based technohub will soon rise at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School following its groundbreaking on Aug. 11, 2026. The facility, touted as the country's first of its kind, will offer hands-on training in drone technology, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and information and communications technology. (IPG photo)
By Mariela Angella Oladive
By Mariela Angella Oladive
ILOILO CITY – Iloilo is set to host the country’s first school-based technohub after the provincial government broke ground for the PHP 15 million MoRProGRes Iloilo TechnoHub at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School (CNCHS).
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 11, marking the province’s push to bring technical-vocational and technology-based learning closer to public school students.
The facility is funded through the Provincial School Board’s Special Education Fund, the pool of local revenue earmarked for public school needs under the Local Government Code.
It is designed as a learning and innovation center where students can gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies, including drone technology, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Technical-vocational programs will also be offered in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Defensor stressed that technical-vocational education should be treated as an important pathway in preparing students for the country’s workforce needs.
“We want to tell you that tech-voc is not a lesser option. The Philippines will not develop without tech-voc,” he said.
The potential of the facility was showcased during the ceremony through a demonstration by CNCHS student Edmerl Christ Tiongson, who presented the school’s entry to the World Robot Contest 2026 Malaysia Championship.
Defensor said the technohub is intended to help the education system produce the skilled workers needed by the country.
“We want our educational system to produce the human resource that we need. We believe that the majority of the human resources our country needs are those belonging to technical-vocational,” he said.
The governor was joined by Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, Cabatuan Mayor Elizalde Pueyo, Iloilo Schools Division Office officer in charge Ruby Therese Almencion, CNCHS principal Valente Lauro, and DepEd Assistant Regional Director Miguel Mac Aposin.
Also present were Department of Science and Technology in Western Visayas (DOST-6) Regional Director Rowen Gelonga, TESDA Acting Regional Director Esther Babalo, and TESDA Iloilo Provincial Director Florencio F. Sunico Jr.
The provincial government plans to expand the initiative by establishing a MoRProGRes TechnoHub in each of Iloilo’s five congressional districts.
MoRProGRes, or the Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Iloilo, is the umbrella brand for the Defensor administration’s flagship development programs.
The initiative builds on the provincial government’s earlier plans to establish technohubs across Iloilo as training venues for emerging technologies.
Provincial officials have said the hubs are intended to equip Ilonggos with future-ready skills and expand opportunities for innovation and employment.
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