1. MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY TELECENTERS Ms. Merlita Opeña PCHRD-DOST
(MCT)
Ms. Merlita Opeña PCHRD-DOST

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. MCT Pilot Sites Agusan del Norte Lanao del Norte
Barangay Maguinda, Butuan City
Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao
Lanao del Norte
Barangay Malingao, Tubod
Barangay Taguitic, Kapatagan

7. Location Agusan del Norte Lanao del Norte Jaliobong, Kitcharao
Maguinda, Butuan City
Taguitic, Kapatagan
Building on Related Initiatives
Malingao, Tubod
Legend:
Agusan del Norte
Lanao del Norte

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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)

11. MCT Services Public Calling Office Internet Access
Computer Processing Center
Library and Reading Center
Training Resource Center
Content and ICT-based Applications

12. MCT Development Strategies
build on existing programs
work with partners
create local content/application
ensure long-term viability and sustainability by strengthening local capability

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. On community mobilization…
Project ownership by the community is essential
Active community involvement, sectoral formation and participation are very important

17. 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

18. On content development...
Information need is an evolving concern
Content/resources/applications available in the MCT should respond to the community’s information needs

19. On content development...
Community itself generates its own content – a major source
Networking with content generators enriches information resource at MCTs

20. On content development...
Use of local dialect hastens understanding and results to action
Use popular/appropriate language and format
Communicate proactively

21. 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

22. 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

23. Visit the MCT Website

24. Thank you