The Development Academy of the Philippines, the National Computer Center’s partner in the implementation of the eLGU Community eCenter Project, compiled some of the emerging good practices of eLGU CeCs which may well be replicated in other CeCs.

:: Nueva Vizcaya Community eCenter

ICT Training

NVCeC’s ICT training program follows the structured and modularized approach to ICT capability-building. It is implemented in collaboration with concerned offices, agencies and institutions from both the government and the private sectors. The training program includes ICT orientation on Windows, word processing, electronic spreadsheets, presentations, Geographic Information System, etc. Among those who have availed of the different trainings are employees of the provincial government, teachers from different municipalities, and even geodetic engineers from other provinces. ICT training manuals are also being developed and updated to support NVCeC’s training program.

Partnership with Spain

NVCeC played quite an important role in the forging of the twinning agreement between Nueva Vizcaya Province and the region of Bizkaia (Biscay) in Spain as negotiations were facilitated by NVCeC’s communication facilities and the local government’s official website.

The twinning agreement aims to establish new channels that will enable the participation of all sectors of the respective societies of both provinces in initiatives of common interest. Part of the agreement is an academic exchange program between the premier educational institutions in Nueva Vizcaya and the University of Basque Country. 

Partnership with MedTranscribe and the Academe

NVCeC established partnership with Saint Mary’s University (SMU) of Bayombong and MedTranscribe Phils, Inc in Manila for the selection and job placement of medical transcription scholars. The tie-up involved a free training and job placement program which consisted of two to three months’ intensive medical transcription training for qualified applicants. As of January 2007, the partnership already produced twenty-six Novo Vizcayano medical transcription scholars.

Advancing the Interest of Indigenous People

NVCeC is coordinating with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) in an effort to unite and assist the different ethnic groups in the province. The initial strategy is to help indigenous people get organized and be registered as a cooperative which shall serve as the legitimate focal organization duly recognized by service and fund providers from both the government and the private sectors. NVCeC also assisted the tribal leaders in the preparation, reproduction and dissemination of their various proposals, membership application forms, and other related documentations. They are also being assisted in their dealings with resource persons and in sourcing funds for their various activities such as organizational meetings, livelihood projects, etc. As of January 2007, there were already twenty-six registered tribal leaders contributing a total share capital of P33,100.00. However, there is still a need to enlist more indigenous people to be able to generate a share capital of P100,000.00, the amount required by the Cooperative Development Authority.

Partnership with the Health Sector and the Academe

The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, through NVCeC, is partnering with SMU - Bayombong and the University of the Philippines (UP) for the province-wide implementation of the latter’s Buddy Works and Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS) Project. Initial arrangements were made during a tripartite meeting on December 5, 2006. The proposed partnership aims to provide fast and appropriate medical services to underserved areas and aims to promote the spirit of teamwork in the Philippine medical community.


:: Abra Community eCenter

• Abra CeC serves as contact center for those who are looking for their lost relatives in Abra (through email and chat).  
• Abra OFWs and relatives made use of the CeC as a communication center during the war in Lebanon.
• Abra CeC serves as center for submission of reports to Regional and Central Offices (especially for municipalities without Internet connection).
  

:: Camarines Norte Community eCenter

Camarines Norte CeC has established strong linkages with the following:

• Local radio stations, for the continuous promotion of the CeC’s programs and services.
• The academe, for the deployment of qualified OJTs who can assist in the CeC project implementation.
• Private individuals who are experts on website development, for the provision of technical assistance on website development and maintenance. These experts are also being tapped as resource persons for ICT-related trainings being conducted by the CeC.

:: Pili, Camarines Sur Community eCenter

Pili CeC has positioned itself as training center for government agencies and individuals who are interested in availing of their computer training program. It collaborated with TESDA for the conduct of short computer-related courses.

The local government entered into a contract with TESDA so that participants in the computer courses offered by the CeC will receive a Certificate of Attendance jointly signed by TESDA and the local government unit. Said certificate qualifies successful participants to take the competency examination offered by TESDA and receive a Certificate of Competency (CoC) from them upon passing the exam. Most of the participants of the short courses are barangay officials. They had replicated this accomplishment by offering the same course to the teachers and non-teaching personnel of public schools in the municipality.

Manual of instructions, handouts, and practice forms and documents for the computer courses have been developed in accordance with TESDA’s prescribed format.


:: Alicia, Isabela Community eCenter

Alicia CeC partnered with a travel agency and job placement company based in Manila that recruits workers for overseas employment. The said company uses the CeC facilities to facilitate applications and interviews of local applicants. In return, they donated some equipment to the CeC such as web and digital cameras, headsets, batteries and chargers.

Alicia CeC also provides assistance to the applicants in the filing of their application online. Interview of qualified applicants is carried out at the CeC via VOIP.

As of March 2007, two applicants who had undergone a series of interviews were eventually hired and are now working as domestic helpers in Malaysia.

:: Luna, Apayao Community eCenter

Luna CeC conducts basic computer classes for government employees in partnership with the IT department of the Apayao State College.

It is the only facility within the municipality that offers ICT services since there are no private Internet shops in the area.


:: Rosario, La Union Community eCenter

Rosario CeC staff conducts regular training as well as tutorials on basic computer operations to teachers and barangay officials.


:: Boac, Marinduque Community eCenter

The CeC of Boac, Marinduque became part of the Incident Management Center during the MIMAROPAA meet. It served as the communication center for participating provinces through the use of email and messaging services.

Boac CeC also offers tutorials on basic computer operations to government employees and students. The CeC facilities are also being used for the conduct of the Community Based Management Survey or CBMS.


:: San Fabian, Pangasinan Community eCenter

San Fabian CeC is implementing a Computer Literacy Enhancement Program for the municipal employees and other interested individuals. It also serves as an information center on the directories of townsfolk currently residing or working abroad.


:: Infanta, Quezon Community eCenter

Infanta CeC offers computer literacy training for kids at affordable rates.  Training modules were prepared and approved by TESDA.


:: Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro Community eCenter

The CeC of Pinamalayan, which its regular and full-time manager and staff, offers computer tutorial services especially for municipal employees who aim to fast-track the delivery of LGU services to the community through the use of ICT.

Pinamalayan CeC also provides affordable communication facilities and services which are especially beneficial to residents with relatives working abroad.