Former Cebu governor Gwen Garcia is pursuing plans to expand academic and vocational opportunities for underprivileged Visayan learners through the GFG Institute, which will offer 18 free technical diploma programs and career pathways.
During a press conference at her office in Mandaue City on Aug. 24, Garcia said the institute, with planned branches in Cordova, Cebu, and Ormoc, Leyte, reflects her goal of making education, skills training, and livelihood opportunities more accessible, particularly to people from disadvantaged families.
Garcia highlighted the project’s broader mission, saying education and training can provide hope and new opportunities to people facing difficult circumstances.
“Think about the lives that we can change for the better. Think about the hope that we can infuse to those who think could be [forced to] go forward,” Garcia said.
The GFG Institute is being developed as an industry-driven foundation that will provide specialized training in practical skills and career preparation, with courses covering areas such as Creative Media, E-Commerce, Digital Business, AI Systems, Cybersecurity, and Digital Content Creation.
Preparations are underway, including curriculum development, completion of program requirements, and consultations with prospective trainers and program heads who will help establish the institution.
For Garcia, the initiative presents an opportunity to create lasting change by giving communities access to skills that can help shape their future. “I’ve never been more energized than ever before because this is so exciting,” Garcia said.
She said helping families overcome hardship and develop future professionals would carry greater meaning than measuring public service by the number of terms served.
The GFG Institute is taking shape as Garcia’s effort to expand skills-based education across the Visayas, creating new opportunities for learners in Cebu and Ormoc to gain training, pursue careers, and build better futures.
