Babatngon CeC Core Group orientation attendees pose for posterity with Mayor Chairta M. Chan (seated, second from left) and NCC Coordinator Claire Fernandez (seated, third from left)

The municipality of Babatngon, Leyte conducted the first Community eCenter Core Group Orientation last January 19, 2010. The orientation was attended by the different sectors of the municipality, including representatives from cooperatives, an organization for people with disabilities, farmers’ association, students and school heads, the Sangguniang Bayan and municipal officials. 

Municipal Mayor Charita M. Chan expressed gratitude to the Commission on ICT and the National Computer Center for considering Babatngon as one of Region 8’s CeC beneficiaries.  As an Internet surfer herself, she can foresee the benefits the CeC would bring to her constituents – a community closer to the world of ICT. Together with Babatngon officials, Mayor Chan pledged to give her administration’s full support in the implementation of the program.

The positive reception was not limited to the municipal officials. Educators and other local constituents also expressed their optimism on having a CeC in their municipality.

From January 14 to 20, 2010, the Philippine Community eCenter Program Management Office (PMO) of the Commission on ICT (CICT) ran a CeC slogan contest in the PhilCeCNet online community. The response was overwhelming with 93 entries received from 18 individuals from different parts of the country.

The winning slogan will be used in the signage and other collaterals of the new centers to be established soon in selected local government units nationwide.

All submitted entries will be evaluated by the PhilCeC PMO. The winner will receive a PhilCeCNet jacket and a 4Gb CICT USB drive. Watch out for the announcement of the contest winner.