PCHRD-DOSTDOST-CARAGAPSTC-Lanao del Norte

A Project Facilitated by:

Connecting People and Organizations for Rural Development through Pilot

Multipurpose Community Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs)Telecenters (MCTs)

in Selected Philippine Barangays

Why MCTs?

A response to the challenge

of capitalizing technology to give Filipinos equitable access to knowledge and resources

of bringing the rural villages out of isolation

Global Telecenter Movement

More than the services delivered in telecenters, it is the new capacities in people that they (telecenters) help create that made the difference.

This new capacity becomes self-generating and enables a far greater number of people learning to do more important things.

MCT Pilot Sites

AGUSAN DEL NORTE

Barangay Maguinda, Butuan City• Mountainous; 30 km (rough road) from Butuan City; coconut and rootcrop farming• Population: 3,290; 85 % Philippine Ecumenical Christian Church (Knights of Rizal)• Major dialect: Cebuano

Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao Municipality • Plain, surrounded by mountains; 60 km (good road) from Butuan City; rice and coconut farming; near Lake Mainit (eco-tourism)• Population: 1,987• Major dialect: Surigaonon (and Cebuano)

MCT Pilot Sites

LANAO DEL NORTE

Barangay Malingao, Tubod• plain, surrounded by mountains; good agricultural land for coconut, corn and banana; 50 km from Iligan City• Population: 3,626; central and gateway to other barangays• Major dialect: Cebuano

Barangay Taguitic, Kapatagan Municipality • Rich fishing ground (many fishponds) aroung Pangil Bay; country’s major source of prawns, crabs; 80 km from Iligan City• High commercial activity; high demand for telecomm infrastructure• Population: 2,743; • Major dialect: Cebuano

Location

Taguitic, Kapatagan

Legend:

Malingao, Tubod

Jaliobong, Kitcharao

Maguinda, Butuan City

Lanao del Norte

Agusan del Norte

Barangay Jaliobong Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte

Barangay Maguinda Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Barangay Maguinda Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Barangay MalingaoTubod, Lanao del Norte

Barangay Taguitic Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

Barangay Taguitic Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

Information needs

HEALTHI. Facilities

A. Health Centers

B. Ambulances

C. Hospitals

D. Accredited Laboratories

E. Nursing Homes

F. Dialysis Centers

 

II. Health Human Resources

A. Directory of neighboring practitioners (doctors, nurses, midwives, rural health workers, etc.)

B. Directory of local and international health institutions

C. Directory of Health Maintenance Organizations

D. Directory of medical and pre-medical societies

E. Links to other health-related associations

Information needs

HEALTHIII. Socio-demographic data

A. Population dataB. Leading causes of MortalityC. Leading causes of Morbidity 

IV. Disease Control Program A. List of Common diseases B. Signs and Symptoms C. Preventive measures D. Government intervention

IV. Other Health Programs A. Nutrition B. Family Planning C. Maternal & Child Care D. Breastfeeding E. Immunization F. Dental Health Program G. Other Health-related programs

Information needs

HEALTHVI. Alternative Medicine

A. Use of medicinal herbal plants

B. Acupuncture

C. Acupressure

D. Other traditional forms of healing

 

VII. Environment Health Sanitation

A. Sources of Drinking Water B. Waste Management

C. Kind of Toilet Facility

VIII. Current trends / latest medical technological breakthroughs

Information needs

EDUCATIONI. Database

A. database on educational organizations/agencies,

courses offered, available scholarships, how to

avail of such

B. database of programs and services provided by

government agencies and NGOs to communities

II. Training Modules

A. library management, information and references

B. computer education training (MSU-IIT)

C. livelihood programs - trades, crafts, vocational

courses

D. instructional materials

E. information technology

Information needs

EDUCATIONIII. Research Materials

A. Research materials useful and applicable to barangay students

IV. StatisticsA. economic, social, environmental, and

health statisticsB. literacy rate

V. DECS-Related InformationA. national structure to local B. policies/memorandaC. listing of number of schools, classrooms, students in the Philippines D. memorandumE. new educational programsF. employee's benefits

Information needs

EDUCATIONVI. Health-Related Information

A. information on how to identify exceptionalities

in children (e.g., autism, dyslexia, giftedness),

and where to go for diagnosis, management,

and care of exceptional children

B. basic health information, local remedies for common

diseases, preventive measures

C. basic health and nutrition

D. information on inclusive education where differently-

abled children are mainstreamed with normal children

Information needs

EDUCATIONI. Facilities

A. Health Centers

B. Ambulances

C. Hospitals

D. Accredited Laboratories

E. Nursing Homes

F. Dialysis Centers

 

II. Health Human Resources

A. Directory of neighboring practitioners (doctors, nurses, midwives, rural health workers, etc.)

B. Directory of local and international health institutions

C. Directory of Health Maintenance Organizations

D. Directory of medical and pre-medical societies

E. Links to other health-related associations

Information needsAGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCESI. Sources of Livelihood

A. Farming1. Rice farming (lowland and upland)2. Upland farming (e.g., Cassava, pineapple, mango, etc.)3. Cassava farming (price, marketing, processing, financial assistance,

etc.)4. Rice farming (new technologies, price, pest control, financial

support,processing, etc.)B. Fishing/ Aquaculture/ Marine Culture

1. Ways and means on fishingC. Animal Raising

1. Poultry- raising2. Livestock raising

D. TradingE. ManufacturingF. Non-technical work

1. Food preservation ( e.g.,fish canning)2. Handicraft Industry

G. Offer Skilled Services1. Technical skills and development on electricity, automotive, and food

technology

Information needs

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCESII. Better ways

A. Rice Farming

B. Cassava Farming

C. Coconut Farming

D. Commercial Crops Growing

E. Livestock and Poultry Raising

F. Other Sources

III. Government Involvement

A. National Laws, Policies, Rules & Regulations

B. Programs and Services of different related agencies

C. Training/ workshops

D. Requirements and steps to avail project services

E. Persons to approach; complete addresses

Information needs

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCESIV. Involvement of People Organization

A. Nature of programs and services

B. Requirements and steps to avail project services

C. Persons to approach; complete addresses

V. New Technologies

A. Current trends

B. Technology and livelihood resources

C. Control of pests

D. New varieties/species for planting

Information needs

RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

I. Marketing Aspects

A. Distribution

B. Trading

C. Pricing

D. Farm to market road

E. Market Linkages

F. Buyers requirement on quality of products

G. Others

 

Information needs

RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENTII. Livelihood Assistance

A. Government Programs/Policies1. Program Implementation2. Program Beneficiaries

B. Starting up a business1. Requirements/guidelines2. What offices to go3. Available financing

C. Operating successful cooperativesD. Access to various cooperatives to strengthen existing coop E. Credit facilities

1. Info on various financial/ funding institutions2. Info on profitable medium enterprises3. Info on effective entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial

management4. Human resource development training on

a. Food technology, food preservationb. Technical skills

5. Employment opportunities

Information needs

RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENTIII. Industry Studies on

A. Small mining/quarrying operation of marble & limestoneB. Fish cage & feed millC. HandicraftD. Food preservation (i.e. fish canning)

IV. Other Relevant Data onA. Economic status of the countryB. Weather conditions (La Niña & El Niño)C. Cost of technology and raw material sourcesD. Directories of

1. Civic organizations2. NGOs3. POs4. Cooperatives5. Lending/Financing institution6. Suppliers of tools, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.

General Objective

To identify the systems combination of

people, organization, infrastructure and

processes

that will bring in the rural villages

(barangays) into the mainstream of

development.

Specific Objectives Determine info needs of rural people which can be

addressed thru the use of ICTs establish user-designed MCTs factors for operating a viable and sustainable MCT develop, with partners, applications in HEALTH, education,

agriculture, fisheries and natural resources, livelihood local capability in developing indigenous content and

applications and MCT management services (social and commercial purposes)

– Internet access point– info resource centers– literacy courses

Impact on quality of village life

Concept of a Multipurpose Community TelecenterConcept of a Multipurpose Community Telecenter

* SOURCES OF(DISTANT) INFORMATION

agricultureeducationhealthlivelihood

connect and access

PILOTMultipurposeCommunityTelecenter

* READING CENTER / LIBRARYprint materials,

programs in video, CD

* INTERNET CAFE* SOURCES OF INFORMATIONBarangay

Telepono sa Barangay

PC PC TV

read, view

PCO

PCO

ItalTel

relay towers

Internet

Taguitic

Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs)

Lanao del Norte relay towers

MalingaoBarangay Hall

Barangay Hall

ISP

Central Station

Proposed line going to ISP

PCO

PCOMTPO

ISP

relay towers

CentralStation

Internet

Maguinda

Jaliobong

Proposed line going to ISP

Barangay Hall

Barangay Hall

Proposed line

Proposed lineMultipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) Agusan del Norte

MCT

MCT

PCO

PCOModem

Modem

MTPO

BAYANTELButuan

SwitchingNetwork

MoscomButuan

INTERNET

Modem

Modem

Brgy. Jaliobong

Brgy MaguindaDOTC-TELOF

Exchange (N1-3 )

Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs)Agusan del Norte

Barangay Jaliobong

Barangay Maguinda

Development Strategy

Build on existing programs work with partners content/application building (indigenous, link-

base) long-term viability, sustainability by building

local capability

Progress

information needs captured from series of consultations; an evolving concern

community-designed MCT; development is contingent on understanding of MCT’s purposes within the context of the community

sustainability factors: leader’s status in local governance and the community; power structure and relationships

Progress

local capability– computing, Internet, website development

• young people are easy to train; form volunteer pool

– need to develop better understanding of reading center development, information sourcing and servicing

– need skills for organizing and managing a MCT

Progress

services offered– computer processing and printing– Internet / web surfing: on familiarity phase (if

on a 24 hour service, cognizant of ISP cost implications)

– limited promotion due to non-stable Internet connection (focus on Internet)

– need for a guide on costing information products and services

Some Lessons learned

There is recognition on the value of Internet as a source of info but the community's mind set would first tap traditional sources such as radio or face-to-face transactions.

  Language is a barrier; there's difficulty in in-depth

understanding of the English language.

  The local government (Bgy Council) was seen as a natural

anchor for the project inspite of the presence of NGOs, e.g., coop or women group; leaders are, however, subject t change.

  An understanding of the community's power structure and

relationships is important.

Some Lessons learned

Community's understanding of the project is enhanced by demonstrating MCTs capability.

Organizing the MCT management team follows only after demonstrating the technology capability, and experiencing the service and having a good understanding of the prospects of the MCT.

There is a need for a balancing service delivery objectives: public service vs commercial service.

Website (esp. gov't) owners must be responsive to queries received from users, i.e., they must respond to e-mails received.

Some Lessons learned

Paradigm shift: organize the barangay MCT first before relationships are defined with town, province, national sources; or, before committees are convened.

Process documentation, including recording of narrative stories, is important, and should be undertaken by all project participants.

Localize implementation (e.g. PCHRD, DOST-CARAGA); block activities and commission them where applicable (culture of subcontracting; ability to spot good / reliable contractors)

Conclusion

If you empower the barangay, demonstrate the capability and prospects of a MCT (or any project), and let them (barangay) own the MCT (or project), they can mobilize resources and be determined do let MCT (project) succeed.

  Technology should be used and commercializing

information services should be done, in the cultural context of the community; results cannot be hurried.

  MCT is a relationship project, one works within a web

of relationships.