Tacloban City (February 9) – The National Computer Center (NCC), an agency under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), will be deploying fifteen new Community eCenters (CeCs) in Eastern Visayas this month of February or March in response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrust of empowering local government units (LGUs) in the use of information technology in local governance towards an improved quality public service.

This was disclosed by Claire Fernandez, NCC Regional IT Coordinator, who said that these municipalities which applied for a CeC and passed the criteria for selection through a scorecard include  Balangkayan, Giporlos, Balangiga, and Llorente in Eastern Samar; Biri, Laoang, Palapag, and Mapanas in Northern Samar; Pinabacdao and Paranas in Samar; and Mayorga, Javier, Julita, Sta. Fe, and Babatngon in Leyte.

CICT seeks to establish at least 200 CeCs per year over a three-year period prioritizing towns with existing infrastructure support like electrical power and internet connectivity, Fernandez emphasized.

Except for Northern Samar recipient-municipalities, Fernandez said that the local government units of Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte have already undergone CeC Core Group Orientations conducted by NCC.

According to Fernadez, a CeC is a self-sustaining shared facility providing affordable access to ICT-enabled services and relevant content. It serves as a conduit for efficient delivery of government and other services and a potent tool for empowerment and participation of unserved and underserved communities in development.

As of 2007, a total of 28 CeCs were already established in Eastern Visayas with the towns of Tanauan and Tolosa being the sites of the first CeCs in Eastern Visayas launched last May 20, 2005, Fernandez informed.

Fernandez further informed that NCC provides among others for the project four computer units, a four-in-one equipment package consisting of a scanner, printer, facsimile and copier machine, two web cameras and local area networking peripherals, and most importantly, appropriate training on CeC management.

On the other hand, the counterpart LGU is required to provide Internet connection, at least one computer unit to the center, furniture and fixtures necessary for use in the CeC, at least 30-square meter space for the center, a permanent or full-time personnel who will man the center, SB resolution support for the establishment and sustainability of CeC operations, organization of a multi-sectoral CeC core group, air-conditioning unit/s and prescribed CeC signage for the center, and travel and/or training funds for CeC activities in order to ensure sustainability of CeC operations.

The establishment of CeCs is in consonance with the global and national mandate on digital inclusion efforts such as the Millennium Development Goals, 2003 WSIS Geneva Plan of Action, and the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010.

For further inquiries on application of CeCs, check out the Philippine CeC portal or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (PIA-8)