The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology–Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST–ICTO) in implementing the ‘Tech4Ed’ in the province, the Provincial Education Department reported.
According to DOST–ICTO, Tech4Ed aims to bridge the gap between those who have access to internet and don’t have with the DOST’s ‘One Connect One Philippines’ or free Wi-Fi program launched last year thereby bringing connectivity to the countryside and boosting economic development by several internet megabytes.
In an interview, PED Head Matilde Nery disclosed that 38 schools and 4 municipal information hub (i-hub) in Ilocos Norte are targeted to become the next sites of the project.
A two-day training was conducted on April 6-7, 2016 for local ICT coordinators of municipal and school i-hubs which include librarians from the Mariano Marcos State University, Ms. Nery said.
After the training, the program was formally launched on April 7 at provincial library (i-hub) located at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag City.
In line with her strong commitment of enhancing the quality of education, Governor Imee R. Marcos led the development of “Sirib Mile” in 2013 which highlights her endeavor to turn Ilocos Norte into a learning province.
With this, several educational and recreational equipment were offered to out-of-school youth and students for free leading to the development of i-hubs in the province via PED as well as Information Technology and Communications Department.
Through Tech4Ed, various government services relating to health, education and communication advancement will be made instantly available to Ilocanos, Nery said.
She added that by adding this project to the services of i-hubs across the province, “everyone will save time as well as money” noting that Ilocanos can efficiently apply online to major government services of the National Bureau of Investigation and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, among others.—(John Michael Mugas, PGIN-CMO)
