Medellin, Cebu – On February 23, 2026, a total of 16 Barangay Leaders from the Municipality of Medellin, Cebu participated in a Social Preparation and Sustainability Training on the ISLET Connect (Internet for Sustainable Livelihood, e-Education, and Tourism), an initiative of CVISNET Foundation, Inc. in close partnership with the Department of Science & Technology – Region VII (DOST 7) and unconnected.org, with initial funding support from the APNIC Foundation, Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), Korea Environmental Professional Engineers Association (KEPEA), and Internet Society.

The participants represent four key barangays: Tindog, Curva, Canhabagat, and Caputatan Sur. They were selected to represent a diverse cross-section of the community, including Local Government & Barangay Officials, Academe, Private Sector, Youth Organizations, and Religious Groups. This multi- sectoral group will form the core of the ISLET Connect Hubs, a social enterprise model designed to ensure that internet connectivity is sustained the barangays and is translated into tangible economic and educational growth for the municipality.

The training is underscored by the presence of key partners, signaling strong institutional support for Medellin's digital transformation: Hon. Edwin L. Salimbangon – Municipal Mayor of Medellin, Cebu; Dr. Roslyn D. Tambago and Ms. Elviena Subang of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; Dir. Bryan B. Ybañez of the Department of Science and Technology - Region VII, and Engr. Roberto A. Cabarrubias & Mr. Jeffrey Llanto of CVISNET Foundation, Inc.

A follow-up meeting will be initiated by CVISNET Foundation, Inc. between March to April 2026 to assist the partner barangays in finalizing the composition of their ISLET-Connect Hubs.