QC steps up computer literacy campaign

The Quezon City government, in a bid to provide computer access to residents, is working for the acquisition of additional mobile computer classrooms to be deployed in various parts of the city in the next few months.

City Council president pro tempore Bernadette Herrera Dy told City Hall employees during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony that she is now working with various non-government organizations to acquire four more rolling classrooms to complement the computer literacy program of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Herrera Dy, who pioneered the Computer School on Wheels in Quezon City, said classrooms, which are improvised air-conditioned containers vans with 24 computers sets inside, are intended for barangay residents, particularly out-of-school youths and senior citizens.

The mobile classrooms have been providing basic computer lessons in various barangays in the city.

Herrera Dy said the computer literacy program is part of the thrust of the city government to be responsive not only for today’s needs, but also to those of the future generations.

Council majority leader Ariel Inton, for his part, said he would campaign aggressively for the approval of all computer literacy-related filed with the City Council.

"Considering that Quezon City is fast becoming the information technology center in the country today, computer-related ordinances are considered among our top priorities," Inton said.

Belmonte said the city government is providing full support to public schools in helping students leapfrog to the electronic age.

Among its programs are the e-libraries and the setting up of the Center for Excellence in Training and Technology Research (Centrex), a multi-purpose facility that will provide technology support and IT training as well as serve research area for both students and teachers.

He said TESDA’s $4.3-million Korea-Philippines IT Training Center at the campus of the Quezon City Polytechnic University in BarangaySan Bartolome is now 80 percent complete and is scheduled for inauguration in October.

"Once fully operational, it will make Quezon City the focus for advanced information technology training in Metro Manila," Belmonte said.