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MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY TELECENTERS (MCT) Ms. Merlita Opeña PCHRD-DOST. What is MCT?. MCT piloted in the Philippines the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool for rural development
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MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY TELECENTERS (MCT) Ms. Merlita OpeñaPCHRD-DOST
What is MCT? • MCT piloted in the Philippines the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool for rural development • MCT aims to contribute to people’s empowerment and development by providing access to community and partners’ information and communication resources and services.
Why MCT? • MCT is a response to the challenge of • giving equitable access to knowledge and resources • bringing the rural villages out of isolation • making the information society to be more about inclusion rather than exclusion
What MCT expects to achieve? • To set-up a one-stop information resource center for the people in the barangays, by giving them access to information, people, and organizations, with the use of simple and state-of-the-art communication tools that can provide answers to the communities’ concerns.
What MCT expects to achieve? • To serve as a venue for learning, interaction, creating content and ICT-based applications, relevant to the needs of the communities (e.g., health, education, agriculture/fisheries/natural resources, rural enterprise development)
MCT Pilot Sites • Agusan del Norte • Barangay Maguinda, Butuan City • Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao • Lanao del Norte • Barangay Malingao, Tubod • Barangay Taguitic, Kapatagan
Location Jaliobong, Kitcharao Maguinda, Butuan City Taguitic, Kapatagan Building on Related Initiatives Malingao, Tubod Legend: Agusan del Norte Lanao del Norte
MCT Initial Partners • International Development Research Center (IDRC) • Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) • Association for Progressive Communications – Women’s Networking Support Programme (APC-WNSP)
MCT Initial Partners • Department of Science and Technology (DOST) • Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) • Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) • DOST-CARAGA • DOST-10 • Philippine Science High School – Central Mindanao (PSHS-CM) – Lanao del Norte
MCT Initial Partners • National Library of the Philippines (NLP) • Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) – Telecommunications Office (TelOf) – Lanao del Norte and Agusan del Norte • Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) • Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) • eDevelopment Initiatives for Civil Society Organizations, Inc. (eDI)
MCT Services • Public Calling Office • Internet Access • Computer Processing Center • Library and Reading Center • Training Resource Center • Content and ICT-based Applications
MCT Development Strategies • build on existing programs • work with partners • create local content/application • ensure long-term viability and sustainability by strengthening local capability
Lessons Learned • Barangays have the capability to solve their own problem; they have resources • The people in the rural community are not always waiting for free services; they have the capability to pay
Lessons Learned • MCT is a relationship project, one works within a web of relationships • Bottom-up governance is viable; there is a need to shift to the top-down view
On management and operation… • Each MCT is different from the others, strongly dependent on leaders • There should be a balance between giving public and commercial services • Voluntarism is valuable, especially when the MCT is just starting
On community mobilization… • Project ownership by the community is essential • Active community involvement, sectoral formation and participation are very important
On community mobilization… • Persons with strong leadership, with the right ability and orientation, encourage active community participation and help ensure a strong and sustainable MCT • Easier if there is an existing organization
On content development... • Information need is an evolving concern • Content/resources/applications available in the MCT should respond to the community’s information needs
On content development... • Community itself generates its own content – a major source • Networking with content generators enriches information resource at MCTs
On content development... • Use of local dialect hastens understanding and results to action • Use popular/appropriate language and format • Communicate proactively
On technical infrastructure... • Use appropriate, stable, and robust technology for connectivity, computing, and communication • MCT operators should be trained on equipment maintenance and basic troubleshooting
On evaluation and monitoring... • Storytelling, by itself, and in combination with other tools, is a potent way to evaluate projects • Looking into the views and needs of non-users is important
Visit the MCT Website www.barangayconnect.ph