DTI to give computers to public high schools

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 152 national high schools in Central Visayas, 46 of which are in Cebu, are set to get ten desktop computers and computer peripherals each in June from the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte said that phase 4 of the Personal Computers for Public High Schools program has already been implemented for Luzon and Visayas and hopefully it will be completed on June as classes start.

With the financial aid of the government of Japan worth P320 million for the Luzon and Visayas Component of PCPS Phase 4, the project targeted 775 public high school beneficiaries.

During the weekly Tapok-Tapok sa NS Pensionne media forum, Caberte said there are 152 national high schools in Central Visayas covered in the Phase 4 while 46 are in the Province and City of Cebu.

In Cebu City these are the national high schools of Lahug and Malubog as well as the Cebu City National Science High School.

In Mandaue City these are the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School – Science High School, Mandaue SPED Center High School; Casili and Maguikay NHS.

Bangkal NHS in Lapu-Lapu City; Carcar NHS in Carcar City; Lawaan III Night HS; Lawaan and Tabunok National HS in Talisay City; Awihao, Luray II, Matab-ang NHS and Toledo Science NHS in Toledo City.

In Naga City these are the national high schools in Alpacao, Antonio Lapiz, Cantao-an, Cogon, Inayagan, Lutac, Tagjaguimit and Tinaan.

Other beneficiaries in the Province of Cebu are Minglanilla Science and Tulay NHS; Cabangahan, Garing and Tayud in Consolacion; Lataban and Arcelo in Liloan; Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan NHS; Milan-Cantuod and Nangka in Balamban; Balungag and Sangat in San Fernando; Alcoy, Argao, Samboan, Moalboal, Santa Fe and Tuburan NHS; Salag in Tabogon; Camotes NHS in San Francisco and Calape in Daanbantayan.

Caberte said that these computers were turned over to Department of Education but the DTI still has to conduct quarterly monitoring to make sure the program have an impact on the learning of students.

She emphasized that DTI has the right to take back the computer if it is not used for its intended purpose such as one case when a computer was taken home for personal use by a school teacher.

DTI has been spearheading the implementation of the project since 2001 during the time of then Secretary Mar Roxas III.

The project, which is part of Japan’s measures to narrow the international digital divide between developed and developing countries, seeks to contribute to the Philippine government’s efforts to develop its human capital in the field of Information Technology through its enhanced quality of IT education.

DTI said the Government of Japan’s approval of the project shows Japan’s strong support to IT education in the Philippines and recognition of IT’s major role in the global economy. (FREEMAN)