December 22, 2001
by JS Eusebio, Phd

Education and training on computer programs are investments on the human capital. Computer literacy provides the poor with employment skills and tools for livelihood. The California Cyberbarangayan Coalition project envisions to complement/supplement community-based development programs. It is a consortium participated by four major groups: 1) California Technological Care (CTC) collects, refurbishes, and upgrades computers for free distribution with peripherals and training to underserved communities; 2) FISH for PEACE, coordinates development plans in USA; 3) LBC-USA transports the computers and provide internet linkages; and 4) BIDANI (Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement) NET /Development Foundation coordinates and monitors computer distribution and use in leadership trainings in conjunction with its barangay-wide development programs.

The formal signing of the Cyberbarangayan coalition agreement, in the presence of San Francisco based Philippine Consul General Delia Rosal and Mayor Henry Manayang of Milpitas, California transpired on October 20, 2001. Thereafter, 26 sets of computers (CPU, Monitor, keyboard, mouse and pad per set), were collected, refurbished by CTC and FISH for PEACE, packed in boxes, and brought to LBC Central office in South San Francisco. On November 27, 2001, LBC-USA loaded the precious cargo into the container for shipment to Manila. The sea journey took 26 days, and arrived Manila on December 22, with LBC truck already awaiting at the harbor, for transport to BIDANI Dev't Foundation Office in Los Banos, Laguna on the same day.

Preparatory to the coming of the computers from USA, official contacts were made by the BDFI Directorate with the political leaders (Mayor Wilfredo Quiat of Pila, and Mayor Domingo Panganiban of Sta. Cruz and Mayor Cesar Perez of Los Banos) Laguna municipalities as well as the pilot villages (Captain Antonio Nacis of Duhat, Captain Benjamin Sanigan of Oogong, Captain Sabiniano Flores of Sta. Clara Sur) and their functionaries.

The Main Computer Resource Learning Center base for training of trainors s well as village trainees, was set up in the BIDANI BDFI /FISH for PEACE Office in Barangay Batong Malake, Los Banos. Village officials and community leaders of selected pilots: (Barangay Sta. Clara, Pila and Barangays Oogong and Duhat in Sta. Cruz, Laguna), were oriented about the setting up of the computer resource learning centers based on a set of criteria., e.g. existence of committees to manage the facility, availability of secure training room, electricity and telephone lines, volunteer trainors from the village. The Memo of Agreement /contract was drafted. The draft curriculum guidelines for basic softwares (Word, Excel, Power Point) and time schedule of trainings were prepared. Trainings are offered for free (no tuition required). The villagers were very excited and thankful for having been selected as pilot village. The enthusiasm and interest were high. Many villages are asking to be included. The potential trainees were identified, and enrollment started. Priority was given to village officials, community leaders, micro-credit mothers and their families, and school children.

On December 17th, Mr. Dino Rivera of FISH for PEACE-USA, arrived in the Philippines to do the testing and installation of the arriving computers in each learning center., with assistance of Mr. Erwin Espineda. Each village received at least 5 sets of computers. Some monitors had to be replaced. In the Philippines, auto voltage regulators (AVRs) are musts for all computers, as electric power is erratic and intermittent power failure is unpredictable. The long lists of applicants of varying ages, young and old, poor and less poor, were evidence of the keen interest of the villagers wanting to enroll and learn. BIDANI Directorate held two workshops with the trainors and village officials from the three villages, to evolve the rules of management and use, schedule of trainings, and the common curriculum. The Philippine Women's University branch in Sta. Cruz, Laguna also provided inputs on the curriculum and some trainors.

On February 5th, the learning centers were formally launched in simple ceremonies attended by the members of the TAMPUDA cyberbarangayan Consortium: Mr. Hugo Bonilla, President of LBC-USA, Dr. Isagani Sarmiento, President of FISH for PEACE, Dr. Melchizedek Solis, of CTC, and Dr. Josefa Eusebio of BIDANI Foundation. Ms. Nerissa Fernandez, Director of LBC Corporate Development and Community Building, Mr. Jorge Abelgas, LBC Vice-President for Information System and Customer Service, and Ms. Judy Pascua, LBC Vice-President for International Operations, Ms. Rhodora Sarmiento, Director of FISH for PEACE, Dr. Mario Borja, Medical Doctor San Francisco, CA, and members of the Sangguniang Bayans and Sanggunian Barangays, Municipal Technical Action Committees, and Barangay Education and Training committees, and BIDANI Foundation Directorate, micro-credit mother participants and staff.

From January 21 to February 28, 2002, the 12 volunteer village trainors in the four pilot villages and two FISH for PEACE Staff, were able to graduate 63 villagers on MS Word, and 45 on MS Excel. Trainings were on going for 45 residents learning MS Power Point, 5 for MS Word and 13 for MS Excel. In Barangay Oogong alone, trainings are in four shifts a day, starting from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM. Despite the busy schedule of the 15 computers in three villages and 7 computers in BDFI Office, a total of 170 villagers are presently in the waiting list (and many more are adding) to take their turns in becoming computer literate through "hands-on learning" in front of these high tech machines.

Aside from the long waiting lists of applicants, many other villages not only in Laguna but also in other parts of the country covered in the BIDANI Network, are hopeful to be included in the priority list for the installation of resource learning centers. These give their children and older village folks alike the ready access to learn. Computer literacy in age of ICT gives dignity, self-confidence and self-esteem.