PCHRD-DOST DOST-CARAGA PSTC-Lanao del Norte

1. Connecting People and Organizations for Rural Development through Pilot Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) in Selected Philippine Barangays A Project Facilitated by: PCHRD-DOST DOST-CARAGA PSTC-Lanao del Norte

2. Why MCTs? A response to the challenge • of capitalizing technology to give Filipinos equitable access to knowledge and resources • of bringing the rural villages out of isolation

3. Global Telecenter Movement • More than the services delivered in telecenters, it is the new capacities in people that they (telecenters) help create that made the difference. • This new capacity becomes self-generating and enables a far greater number of people learning to do more important things.

4. MCT Pilot Sites • AGUSAN DEL NORTE • Barangay Maguinda, Butuan City • Mountainous; 30 km (rough road) from Butuan City; • coconut and rootcrop farming • Population: 3,290; 85 % Philippine Ecumenical Christian Church • (Knights of Rizal) • Major dialect: Cebuano • Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao Municipality • Plain, surrounded by mountains; 60 km (good road) from Butuan City; • rice and coconut farming; near Lake Mainit (eco-tourism) • Population: 1,987 • Major dialect: Surigaonon (and Cebuano)

5. MCT Pilot Sites • LANAO DEL NORTE • Barangay Malingao, Tubod • plain, surrounded by mountains; good agricultural land for coconut, • corn and banana; 50 km from Iligan City • Population: 3,626; central and gateway to other barangays • Major dialect: Cebuano • Barangay Taguitic, Kapatagan Municipality • Rich fishing ground (many fishponds) aroung Pangil Bay; country’s • major source of prawns, crabs; 80 km from Iligan City • High commercial activity; high demand for telecomm infrastructure • Population: 2,743; • Major dialect: Cebuano

7. Location Jaliobong, Kitcharao Maguinda, Butuan City Taguitic, Kapatagan Malingao, Tubod Legend: Agusan del Norte Lanao del Norte

8. Barangay Jaliobong Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte

9. Barangay Maguinda Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

10. Barangay Maguinda Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

11. Barangay MalingaoTubod, Lanao del Norte

12. Barangay Taguitic Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

13. Barangay Taguitic Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

14. Information needs HEALTH I. Facilities A. Health Centers B.Ambulances C.Hospitals D.Accredited Laboratories E.Nursing Homes F.Dialysis Centers II. Health Human Resources A. Directory of neighboring practitioners (doctors, nurses, midwives, rural health workers, etc.) B. Directory of local and international health institutions C. Directory of Health Maintenance Organizations D. Directory of medical and pre-medical societies E. Links to other health-related associations

15. Information needs HEALTH III. Socio-demographic data A. Population data B.Leading causes of Mortality C.Leading causes of Morbidity IV. Disease Control Program A. List of Common diseases B. Signs and Symptoms C. Preventive measures D. Government intervention IV. Other Health Programs A. Nutrition B. Family Planning C. Maternal & Child Care D. Breastfeeding E. Immunization F. Dental Health Program G. Other Health-related programs

16. Information needs HEALTH VI. Alternative Medicine A. Use of medicinal herbal plants B.Acupuncture C.Acupressure D.Other traditional forms of healing VII. Environment Health Sanitation A. Sources of Drinking Water B. Waste Management C. Kind of Toilet Facility VIII. Current trends / latest medical technological breakthroughs

17. Information needs EDUCATION I. Database A. database on educational organizations/agencies, courses offered, available scholarships, how to avail of such B. database of programs and services provided by government agencies and NGOs to communities II. Training Modules A. library management, information and references B. computer education training (MSU-IIT) C. livelihood programs - trades, crafts, vocational courses D. instructional materials E. information technology

18. Information needs EDUCATION III. Research Materials A. Research materials useful and applicable to barangay students IV. Statistics A. economic, social, environmental, and health statistics B. literacy rate V. DECS-Related Information A. national structure to local B. policies/memoranda C. listing of number of schools, classrooms, students in the Philippines D. memorandum E. new educational programs F. employee's benefits

19. Information needs EDUCATION VI. Health-Related Information A. information on how to identify exceptionalities in children (e.g., autism, dyslexia, giftedness), and where to go for diagnosis, management, and care of exceptional children B. basic health information, local remedies for common diseases, preventive measures C. basic health and nutrition D. information on inclusive education where differently- abled children are mainstreamed with normal children

20. Information needs EDUCATION I. Facilities A. Health Centers B.Ambulances C.Hospitals D.Accredited Laboratories E.Nursing Homes F.Dialysis Centers II. Health Human Resources A. Directory of neighboring practitioners (doctors, nurses, midwives, rural health workers, etc.) B. Directory of local and international health institutions C. Directory of Health Maintenance Organizations D. Directory of medical and pre-medical societies E. Links to other health-related associations

21. Information needs AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCES I. Sources of Livelihood A. Farming 1. Rice farming (lowland and upland) 2. Upland farming (e.g., Cassava, pineapple, mango, etc.) 3. Cassava farming (price, marketing, processing, financial assistance, etc.) 4. Rice farming (new technologies, price, pest control, financial support,processing, etc.) B. Fishing/ Aquaculture/ Marine Culture 1. Ways and means on fishing C. Animal Raising 1. Poultry- raising 2. Livestock raising D. Trading E. Manufacturing F. Non-technical work 1. Food preservation ( e.g.,fish canning) 2. Handicraft Industry G. Offer Skilled Services 1. Technical skills and development on electricity, automotive, and food technology

22. Information needs AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCES II. Better ways A. Rice Farming B. Cassava Farming C. Coconut Farming D. Commercial Crops Growing E. Livestock and Poultry Raising F. Other Sources III. Government Involvement A. National Laws, Policies, Rules & Regulations B. Programs and Services of different related agencies C. Training/ workshops D. Requirements and steps to avail project services E. Persons to approach; complete addresses

23. Information needs AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & NATURAL RESOURCES IV. Involvement of People Organization A. Nature of programs and services B. Requirements and steps to avail project services C. Persons to approach; complete addresses V. New Technologies A. Current trends B. Technology and livelihood resources C. Control of pests D. New varieties/species for planting

24. Information needs RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT I. Marketing Aspects A. Distribution B. Trading C. Pricing D. Farm to market road E. Market Linkages F. Buyers requirement on quality of products G. Others

25. Information needs RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT II. Livelihood Assistance A. Government Programs/Policies 1. Program Implementation 2. Program Beneficiaries B. Starting up a business 1. Requirements/guidelines 2. What offices to go 3. Available financing C. Operating successful cooperatives D. Access to various cooperatives to strengthen existing coop E. Credit facilities 1. Info on various financial/ funding institutions 2. Info on profitable medium enterprises 3. Info on effective entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management 4. Human resource development training on a. Food technology, food preservation b. Technical skills 5. Employment opportunities

26. Information needs RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT III. Industry Studies on A. Small mining/quarrying operation of marble & limestone B. Fish cage & feed mill C. Handicraft D. Food preservation (i.e. fish canning) IV. Other Relevant Data on A. Economic status of the country B. Weather conditions (La Niña & El Niño) C. Cost of technology and raw material sources D. Directories of 1. Civic organizations 2. NGOs 3. POs 4. Cooperatives 5. Lending/Financing institution 6. Suppliers of tools, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.

27. General Objective To identify the systems combination of people, organization, infrastructure and processes that will bring in the rural villages (barangays) into the mainstream of development.

28. Specific Objectives • Determine info needs of rural people which can be addressed thru the use of ICTs • establish user-designed MCTs • factors for operating a viable and sustainable MCT • develop, with partners, applications in HEALTH, education, agriculture, fisheries and natural resources, livelihood • local capability in developing indigenous content and applications and MCT management • services (social and commercial purposes) • Internet access point • info resource centers • literacy courses • Impact on quality of village life

29. Concept of a Multipurpose Community Telecenter * SOURCES OF (DISTANT) INFORMATION * READING CENTER / LIBRARY print materials, programs in video, CD connect and access agriculture education health livelihood PILOT Multipurpose Community Telecenter read, view PC PC TV Telepono sa Barangay * SOURCES OF INFORMATION Barangay * INTERNET CAFE

30. Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) Lanao del Norte PCO Barangay Hall relay towers Taguitic PCO relay towers Barangay Hall Malingao ItalTel Central Station Internet Proposed line going to ISP ISP

31. Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) Agusan del Norte Proposed line PCO Barangay Hall Jaliobong relay towers Proposed line PCO MTPO Barangay Hall Maguinda Central Station Internet Proposed line going to ISP ISP

32. Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs)Agusan del Norte

33. Barangay Jaliobong

34. Barangay Maguinda

35. Development Strategy • Build on existing programs • work with partners • content/application building (indigenous, link-base) • long-term viability, sustainability by building local capability

36. Progress • information needs captured from series of consultations; an evolving concern • community-designed MCT; development is contingent on understanding of MCT’s purposes within the context of the community • sustainability factors: leader’s status in local governance and the community; power structure and relationships

37. Progress • local capability • computing, Internet, website development • young people are easy to train; form volunteer pool • need to develop better understanding of reading center development, information sourcing and servicing • need skills for organizing and managing a MCT

38. Progress • services offered • computer processing and printing • Internet / web surfing: on familiarity phase (if on a 24 hour service, cognizant of ISP cost implications) • limited promotion due to non-stable Internet connection (focus on Internet) • need for a guide on costing information products and services

39. Some Lessons learned • There is recognition on the value of Internet as a source of info but the community's mind set would first tap traditional sources such as radio or face-to-face transactions. • Language is a barrier; there's difficulty in in-depth understanding of the English language. • The local government (Bgy Council) was seen as a natural anchor for the project inspite of the presence of NGOs, e.g., coop or women group; leaders are, however, subject t change. • An understanding of the community's power structure and relationships is important.

40. Some Lessons learned • Community's understanding of the project is enhanced by demonstrating MCTs capability. • Organizing the MCT management team follows only after demonstrating the technology capability, and experiencing the service and having a good understanding of the prospects of the MCT. • There is a need for a balancing service delivery objectives: public service vs commercial service. • Website (esp. gov't) owners must be responsive to queries received from users, i.e., they must respond to e-mails received.

41. Some Lessons learned • Paradigm shift: organize the barangay MCT first before relationships are defined with town, province, national sources; or, before committees are convened. • Process documentation, including recording of narrative stories, is important, and should be undertaken by all project participants. • Localize implementation (e.g. PCHRD, DOST-CARAGA); block activities and commission them where applicable (culture of subcontracting; ability to spot good / reliable contractors)

42. Conclusion • If you empower the barangay, demonstrate the capability and prospects of a MCT (or any project), and let them (barangay) own the MCT (or project), they can mobilize resources and be determined do let MCT (project) succeed. • Technology should be used and commercializing information services should be done, in the cultural context of the community; results cannot be hurried. • MCT is a relationship project, one works within a web of relationships.