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.

“Putting or establishing a CeC in Babatngon is a big help to our municipality especially that we do not have a landline connection. This will enrich the knowledge of the Babatngonanons, and [serve as] our gateway to the e-world,” says Ed Sumapig, an ICT teacher in Juan Tismo National High School (JTNHS).

“[A] CeC in Babatngon will help Babatngonanons gain access to different local and global networks that are readily available through the net,” adds Deodato B. Cadano, also an ICT teacher of JTNHS.

For Mr. Florante M. Espanta, manager for the Kauswagan Han Babatngon Multi-Purpose Cooperative, institutionalizing a CeC in Babatngon will effectively enliven a community considered by others as a dead-end municipality.  “The CeC that shall be installed will become the melting pot of information and knowledge,” shares Mr. Espanta.

During the signing of the CeC Memorandum of Agreement, Mayor Chan disclosed that the plans and programs for the CeC would bring about a desirable condition of strong and united Babatngonanons in the future.