JICA gives computers to 12 high schools in Sultan Kudarat
by Edgar B. dela Cruz, NE Roche
Koronadal City (6 October) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office had secured a grant from the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) under the Non-Project Grant Assistance Program. The grant shall fund projects for the promotion of Information Communication Technology in the province.
The program also aimed to make Information Communication Technology (ICT) access available to all students of selected public high schools in the province under the project “Personal Computers for Public Schools” Project – Phase 3 (PCPS -3).
Sultan Kudarat DTI Provincial Director Carlito E. Nuñes said that”as a lead agency tasked by the government in promoting Information Communication Technology (ICT), we are doing all our best efforts to look for donor country or organization that would help achieve the task assigned to us in the promotion of information technology (IT), and we very happy and thankful for the response of the Japanese government and other organizations.”
Under PCPS-3 recipients national high schools are Bai Saripinang and Busok of the municipality of Bagumbayan; Kalanawe II of President Quirino; Telafas of Columbio; Rajah Muda of Tacurong City; New Pangasinan of Isulan; Kapingkong of Lambayong; Palimbang ang Milbuk of Palimbang; Langgal of Senator Ninoy Aquino and E. Arcaño Memorial of Basak, Lebak all in the province of Sultan Kudarat.
Beneficiary schools each received 10 units of computer with complete accessories or a total of 120 units are now installed in 12 schools in the province of Sultan Kudarat. These are already being used by students in accessing information communication technology helpful for their quest to earn more knowledge and in their pursuit of higher education.
During the second phase of PCPS, DTI in partnership with National Computer Center (NCC), an attached agency of DOST, tasked with the responsibility of directing Information Technology (IT) use for national development and rationalizing computerization in the country provided the Local Government Unit of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat five (5) computers units with complete accessories under the project dubbed “Jumpstarting Electronic Governance in the Local Government Units” or e-LGU. This is to support the automation of key local government administrative systems more specifically the adoption of the e-LGU application.
The PCPS which started in 2002, is now on its third phase. Presently a total of 31 schools and one (1) LGU are beneficiaries of this project with a total amount of P15,087,508.47 which are implemented in the province of Sultan Kudarat. (ACA/PIA 12/DTI-SK) [top]