BONTOC, Mountain Province – Four units of desktop computers can now be used by the public free of charge at the Bontoc Municipal Library for internet surfing, Microsoft Office application and among others purposely for information and education.
The four units of desktop computers, along with one unit printer, one CCTV Camera and four headsets were donated by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through its Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Economic (TECH4ED) Project.
As a counterpart, the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) shouldered the internet expense and the maintenance of the equipment and provided the space and personnel to oversee the management of the center through the Municipal Librarian.
During the Launching and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 25, 2019, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol, DICT- Provincial Head Wilfred Quines said that the DICT aims to establish TECH4ED Center under its Digital Community Program, which will enhance the socio-economic condition of Filipinos and provide inclusive to the country.
Thus, the TECH4ED Center Equipment Package donated by the DICT to the Bontoc LGU is for public use especially catering to Out of School Youths and Adults (OSYA), women, teachers, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Persons with Disability (PWDs), senior citizens, indigenous people, and entrepreneurs.
Sangguniang Bayan member Julian Chumacog said that the legislative body passed a resolution manifesting the intention of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) to host the TECH4ED Center and further declaring the readiness of the LGU to share with necessary counterpart resources for the successful implementation of the project.
Chumacog added that the Sangguniang Bayan unanimously approved the resolution recognizing that the establishment of a TECH4ED Center at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol is not only for the benefit of the employees but the public.
In his message, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey remarked that the municipal government has always been supportive of the education sector making it one of its priority programs.
This he said that he immediately expressed the willingness of the Bontoc LGU to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DICT for the establishment of a TECH4ED Center at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
Odsey thanked the DICT for the donation of the equipment to the Bontoc LGU which he believed is helpful to the public and no one is left behind. He added that the presence of desktop computers is a way of educating and improving one’s self in the use of Information Technology.
The donation of the TECH4ED Center Equipment Package was realized after the Bontoc LGU through the Municipal Library inquired at the National Library on how to avail of said equipment which the latter referred to the DICT.
Also present are Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen; Sangguniang Bayan members Viola Okko, Esteban Nguddo, Robert Dacyon, Alfredo Awichen and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Tomas Longatan; personnel from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS), Alternative Learning System (ALS) teacher and ALS students, Team Alakdan, and some employees of the Bontoc LGU.
Municipal Librarian Chamreine Casiwen said that the TECH4ED Center at the Bontoc Municipal Library, located at the 3rd Floor, Bontoc Municipal Capitol is open from Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
By Alpine L. Killa