JRT Foundation launches Jerry R. Tugade Technology Hub for Bulacan Students
BULACAN, Philippines — JRT Foundation, the charitable arm of Coolaire Consolidated Inc. (Coolaire), launched the Jerry R. Tugade Technology Hub and donated 20 complete sets of desktop computers to Heritage Homes Integrated School in Marilao, Bulacan, on August 14, 2026.
Both the technology hub and the foundation, named after former Coolaire president Jerry R. Tugade, are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by advocating for digital literacy and expanding access to technology in Philippine education.
“In the Philippines today, 78% of public schools do not have functional computers, 48% of Filipinos do not have internet access, and only 18% of Filipino children above 10 have used a computer,” said Joel Ryan E. Tugade, Vice Chairman of the JRT Foundation and the President of Coolaire. “It’s important the private sector partner with the government to help with the educational system.”
The initiative also advances other sustainable goals, namely: SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, since the event is supported by the Departments of Education (DepEd) and Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region III.
Bringing digital access to HHIS
Heritage Homes Integrated School (HHIS), with more than 1,100 students, is the only public high school in Marilao without a computer laboratory. Therefore, DepEd Region III volunteered them as the technology hub’s first beneficiary.
“I learned na gumagraduate ng senior high school (SHS) ang mga students na walang experience sa computer kasi wala silang equipment. Thirty percent of these learners, di na magkokolehiyo. Kaya tuparin natin ang promise ng K-12 na dapat job-ready sila pag-graduate,” explained Dr. Charies N. Dela Peña, Regional Education Program Specialist and Head of Regional Delivery Unit of DepEd Region III.
Before the donation, students relied largely on laptops donated by DepEd years ago. Of the 45 laptops previously provided, only 20 remained functional, according to HHIS school principal Dr. Nica Mae Magisa. With scarce equipment, several students resorted to using their mobile phones for schoolwork instead.
For Grade 12 student Mark Hero Domingo, the new computers will be especially useful.
“Makakatulong po sa amin sa practical research, lalo na sa paghahanap ng RRL. Noon, cellphone lang gamit namin, pero mahirap pa rin kasi mag-edit. Kaya malaki po talagang tulong ang donation,” Domingo said.
The facility will also support teacher development, allowing teachers to improve their digital skills.
“May mga teachers pa rin na hirap sa ating technology. Gagamitin ito ng mga guro natin para i-train ang kanilang digital literacy skills. Kaya walang maiiwan, lahat ay aangat,” Dr. Magisa shared.
Beyond digital literacy
The Jerry R. Tugade Technology Hub is just one of JRT Foundation’s many robust projects for education. Among them are the TIKYO Scholarship Program, which has seen a 200% increase in its scholars all over the country, receiving a total of Php 1.5M+ in investments for their education. Beyond financial assistance, the program has also expanded to include workshops on mental health, spiritual values formation, and drug abuse prevention and awareness for its youth beneficiaries.
The variety of these projects reflects the JRT Foundation’s overall advocacy for education: that the effective development of young students must not only include financial assistance, but also focus on their holistic development across multiple aspects.
“This partnership with DepEd provides us with an opportunity to make a more impactful and meaningful influence in the lives of students and teachers in advancing their skills. It is our hope that we join hands in building a future where no one is left behind,” emphasized Joel Ryan.
Both JRT Foundation and Coolaire see the benefit and the lasting value of collaboration between the business sector and the education community. Through partnerships such as the Jerry R. Tugade Technology Hub, Joel Ryan hopes more businesses come together to pool their resources and expertise in partaking in meaningful projects to accelerate a more sustainable tomorrow.
Interview and Text by Raf Perez Inguito