Efficient IT Education Made Possible in Mlang Community e-Center

In the rural community of Mlang, North Cotabato is a vibrant community e-center that doesn’t only provide digital literacy to the people but also livelihood opportunities and moral values education. Mlang Community e-Center won 2^nd place in the 9^th Knowledge and Exchange Conference held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Mlang Community E-center provides the IT education for grassroots 

women, out-of-school youths, college drop-outs and barangay officials

The community e-center is well-supported by the municipal government headed by Mayor Joselito Piñol, while its programs are well-managed by Dr. Mary Ann Cortado, the CeC manager of Mlang. 

The Municipal Information Technology Training Program of Mlang e-center was established in 2009 with a signed memorandum of agreement of the local government of Mlang and the National Computer Center.  

 

The free IT ladderized education is offered to out-of-school youths and college drop-outs who can’t afford to pay for their college education. Qualified students undergo six months training and must comply with the requirements to be able to graduate in the program. A certificate of training is given to the graduates by the Central Mindanao Computer School accredited by TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and recognized by CHED (Commission on Higher Education).

According to Dr. Cortado, around 60% of the graduates of the training program got employed in private companies, 30% pursued formal college education, 5% turned to an IT business and livelihood projects and 5% went abroad.

The barangay officials of the municipality of Mlang also undergoes basic computer literacy education. This is to equip them of the technical know-how of using the computer.

A digital literacy program is implemented to train all women sectors of Mlang which includes household women, women from cooperatives and other organizations, Muslim women and indigenous people (IP) women.       

Another project of Mlang Cec is the e-tourism that helps strengthen the tourism in the community and promotes their products like sweet pomelo, one of the best-selling fruit in Mindanao and organic rice of Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Moreover, an e-disaster risk reduction management information and communication services is also launched in response to environmental and climate change issues.

Mlang Community e-Center has significantly helped in alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of the people through education, livelihood, entrepreneurship and employment. 

Marian Añora- FutureRice agribusiness specialist, Roger Barroga-

FutureRice program leader, Mayor Joselito Piñol of Mlang, 

North Cotabato, Wendy Hernandez-FutureRice-communication specialist, 

Dr. Mary Ann Cortado-Mlang CeC manager (left to right)

FutureRice team visited the Mlang community e-center, since it was awarded as one of the top performing CeCs in the country today. The team look at its programs as a platform to create effective agricultural extension projects involving the active participation of the community. 








Writer: Wendy Hernandez
Visit and like our page @ https://www.facebook.com/FutureRice for more project updates