ORMOC CITY – A technical-vocational school in Leyte will expand its free skills training programs after securing a A$175,000 grant from Macquarie Asset Management through the 2025 Macquarie Shared Value Award.
The grant was awarded to the Keitech Educational Foundation, Inc., an initiative of Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a subsidiary of First Gen Corporation. EDC is a portfolio company managed by Macquarie.
Keitech was recognized as one of three winners in the first round of the 2025 Macquarie Shared Value Award, which honors Macquarie-managed teams and assets that combine strong business performance with meaningful social impact. Since it was established in 2023, the award has distributed more than A$1.3 million to 11 organizations worldwide.
The funding will be used to enhance Keitech’s technical and vocational education programs, improve training facilities, and expand access for students in underserved communities in Leyte. The goal is to boost employability and contribute to long-term community development.
Founded in 2009, Keitech provides free, high-quality technical-vocational education to high school graduates from Kananga and nearby Ormoc City. It offers specialized training in high-demand fields such as construction, metals and engineering, and tourism. The foundation has maintained a 100 percent passing rate in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) national certification exams for over a decade.
EDC, the country’s largest geothermal energy producer, manages about 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity from geothermal, hydro, solar, and wind facilities. Since acquiring a majority stake in 2017, Macquarie has supported EDC’s renewable energy operations as well as community-based initiatives in host areas.
Jasmine Chew, Regional Head of Asia for the Macquarie Group Foundation, said the partnership demonstrates how business and community collaboration can create lasting impact.
EDC official Allan Barcena welcomed the recognition, saying the grant will allow Keitech to reach more students and strengthen its mission of empowering Leyte’s youth through skills development.
“We are honored to receive the Macquarie Shared Value Award,” Barcena said. “This recognition underscores the impact of our work at Keitech and reaffirms our commitment to empowering the youth of Leyte through education and skills development. The generous grant will enable us to expand our programs and reach more students, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for our community.”
Officials said the expanded support is expected to help address unemployment and limited access to higher education in the region while contributing to local economic growth.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
