Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, has reached a powerful milestone in its mission to bridge the education gap—establishing 185 Alternative Learning System (ALS) Centers and transforming the lives of over 61,000 out-of-school youth and adult learners nationwide. From urban communities to remote provinces like Tawi-Tawi, CLFI’s growing ALS network continues to break barriers and bring inclusive, future-ready education to underserved Filipinos across the country.
The latest addition to this nationwide initiative is a newly launched ALS Center in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, a first in the municipality, designed to serve nearly 2,000 local learners who previously had limited access to safe and functional learning spaces. This development marks another critical step forward in the Foundation’s commitment to leave no learner behind.
“What we witnessed in Bongao was a clear call to action. No learner should have to study in cramped, unsafe, or powerless spaces,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “Education should be dignified and empowering. This ALS Center reflects our dedication to ensuring that underserved communities are never left behind.”
Before the center’s establishment, many Bongao-based learners had been studying in makeshift facilities without basic utilities like electricity or running water. Responding to this need, CLFI, in partnership with the local government of Bongao, took swift action to construct a modern, fully equipped learning hub, bringing not just infrastructure but hope to the community.
The center boasts laptops, printers, solar lamps, a smart TV, sound systems and other tools that enable a tech-enhanced, future-ready learning experience. Five ALS teachers rotate in shifts to ensure every learner receives focused and consistent support.
CLFI also introduced AI 101—an innovative, first-of-its-kind module that offers ALS learners an introduction to artificial intelligence, equipping them with relevant digital skills and preparing them for the evolving job market. This is complemented by CLFI’s signature #LahatKasama Financial Literacy Program, which teaches essential financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, and responsible money management.
“Access to quality education shouldn’t be limited by geography or circumstance,” said Jonathan Batangan, Executive Director of CLFI. “Our journey in Bongao is part of a larger vision, and that is to equip every Filipino learner with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to build a better future.”
With 185 ALS Centers across the Philippines and more being developed, CLFI’s movement is creating ripples of change—one learner, one community, one future at a time.
