US donates video conferencing equipment to Philippine judiciary

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government has turned over P4.2 million worth of equipment to support videoconferencing needs of the Philippine judiciary.

US embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava led the turnover during her meeting with Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Feb. 17.

The donation, funded by the State Department’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, includes nine units of videoconferencing tools, nine 55-inch televisions, a professional high-bright teleprompter and other accessories.

It also includes a training registration and management system programmed and designed to help the Philippine Judicial Academy manage the information and data gathered for seminars it conducts.

“Technology is key to improving access to justice, increasing transparency and protecting the rights of all people. The US is proud to support these efforts and looks forward to future collaboration,” Variava said.

Gesmundo thanked the US for the donation, saying the videoconferencing equipment “will contribute to our collective commitment in expanding the public’s access to justice through technology.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a P42.9-million deal with private sector partners to provide training opportunities for out-of-school youth.

PBEd said over 3,100 unemployed youth will benefit in terms of free skills training in construction, hospitality, automotive servicing and marketing sector. Through PBEd’s YouthWorks PH, opportunities will be available for individuals in the Greater Manila area and Cagayan de Oro City.

“This partnership launch will build on YouthWorks PH’s existing suite of skills training resources in pandemic resilient industries. Importantly, the partnerships we are forging today will also fill gaps in vital and growing sectors, like in automotive servicing and marketing,” said PBEd chair Ramon del Rosario in a statement. –  Romina Cabrera