TARLAC CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) Tarlac Province through its School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) – Social Mobilization and Networking Unit (SMNU), has launched Project TarlaKoLab, a digital partnership information hub and resource-matching platform designed to connect schools with potential partners and make school needs more visible and accessible.
Project TarlaKoLab Lead Proponent and SGOD-SMNU Education Program Specialist Jenika Bianca Icasiano-Alcantara said the platform was developed in response to recurring inquiries from stakeholders seeking ways to support schools and learners in the province.
“Project TARLAKOLAB was born from a simple but recurring challenge. We often receive inquiries from potential partners asking which schools need help or how they can connect with schools. While we have this information internally, there was no centralized and publicly accessible platform where stakeholders could easily view school needs and opportunities for collaboration,” she explained.
Alcantara said the platform aims to bridge the gap between schools and potential partners by making collaboration faster, more transparent, and more impactful.
Through TarlaKoLab, users can access school profiles, identified needs, ongoing programs and projects, and opportunities for collaboration that could be aligned with their resources, expertise, or advocacy.
“A digital platform allows information to be accessible anytime and anywhere. It enables schools and partners to connect more efficiently, reduces delays in information sharing, and provides greater transparency in identifying needs and opportunities,” Alcantara added.
While the resource-matching feature is still being finalized, she said the long-term vision is to allow schools to post priority needs and enable partners to directly identify opportunities to provide assistance through resources, services, expertise, or volunteer work.
The platform is open to schools, local government units, private companies, non-government organizations, alumni associations, civic organizations, community groups, and individual advocates interested in supporting education initiatives in Tarlac Province.
Alcantara likewise encouraged stakeholders to become part of the growing network of education partners.
“To our current and future partners, thank you for believing that education is a shared responsibility. Through TARLAKOLAB, we invite you to become part of a growing community committed to creating opportunities for every learner. No contribution is too small when it helps transform a school, empower a teacher, or change a child’s future. Together, we can turn collaborations into meaningful impact,” she said.
The initiative aligns with the national government’s push under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to improve the quality of education through digitalization and innovation. (CLJD/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)