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CeC: An important tool in local governance

Written by Luna Eulogio

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Boac CeC Manager Pongkoy Manrique sharing about their teleradiology project during the exchange program for CeC managers

Every local government unit (LGU) should recognize the vital role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in local governance and management. ICT development and usage should be given recognition in the formulation of local development plans and policies and in carrying out the operation of the organization. Just for an example, the mere presence of a municipal website will make a municipality part of the global Information Society.

The recently concluded CeC Managers Exchange Program by NCC under the guidance of Ms. Concepcion Lasam and Cuchie Echeverria had given us insights on the vital role of CeCs in empowering LGUs socially, economically, and politically.

In our very own Municipality of Boac, it is through our CeC that we have developed and established the Boac Telerad (short for “teleradiology”), and, at present, we are also developing the TeleBarangay Healthcare System.

The exchange program made me realize that the CeC, besides being a provider of affordable, or perhaps even free, Internet access to the community especially for research and online communication, it can also serve as a training facility for IT Skills training for municipal and barangay workers, and a conduit training facility for the eSkwela Program of the Commission on ICT and the Department of Education.

Another important role of CeCs in LGUs is that of an electronic gateway that provides access points for eGovernance, eAgriculture, eHealth, eLibrary, eLearning, eEmployment, and so on.

Every LGU should also give emphasis on providing the general public with awareness of the importance of ICT usage and application in daily work, and this can only be done by establishing a Community eCenter.

Indeed, it is through CeCs that we can bring LGUs online.