[from the Chapter report of Ms. Sonia M. Gementiza, President, Cavite Librarians Association, Inc on the 1st Cascading Project of IFLA-FAIFE Internet Manifesto with the theme "Revolutionizing Information : A Seminar-Workshop on IFLA-FAIFE Internet Manifesto" on July 31, 2009 at the New Legislative Building, Cavite Provincial Capitol, Trece Martires City, Cavite. Also, for the video of the said event, please click here]Overview
The PLAI-Southern Tagalog Region Librarians Council (PLAI-STRLC) conducted a round table discussion on IFLA-FAIFE Internet Manifesto on May 29-30, 2009 in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro in response with the IFLA-FAIFE Internet Manifesto Train the Trainers workshop Project Philippines 2009 last April 27-28, 2009 which was attended by the Regional Council Presidents who were tasked to cascade the project in the regional level.
With that, the PLAI STRLC conducted a two day seminar workshop on IFLA-FAIFE Internet Manifesto on June 25-26, 2009 which was held at La Sallette Retreat Center, Biga. Silang Cavite. This two day seminar workshop was attended by twenty professional librarians participants which from the province of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.
During the workshop, the Cavite Librarians Association Inc. officers agreed to schedule the cascading of the IFLA-FAIFE Internet manifesto in the province of Cavite on July 31, 2009 at the New Session Hall, Legislative Building, Trece Martires City.
Description of the ProgrammeIt was a one day activity which aimed at training the library personnel on the emerging role of Internet in today’s information environment and also to implement the IFLA-FAIFE at the provincial level.
Opening CeremoniesThe program started with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by the Cavite Hymn The participants are welcomed by Mr. Jose R. de Castro Sr. (Cavite Provincial Sangunian Secretary) and this was followed by the presentation of the rational of the project by Mr. Marcial Batiancila (President, PLAI-STRLC).
Session & WorkshopThe participants attentively listened to the topic presented as follows:
1. Laws and Policies Regulating Internet Access in the Philippines
2. IFLA-FAIFE and the Internet Manifesto : Am Overview
3. Implementing the Internet Manifesto
4. The Current Role of Internet in the Philippines Libraries : Scenarios and Trends
5. How to Write an Internet Use Policies
The participants of the seminar actively participate & appreciate the workshop where the output of each group was presented and discussed by the assigned group leaders. The participants also agreed in the adoption of the Internet use policy that was revised andpresented by Ms. Audrey Anday. Each group created and suggested rules and regulations that is more applicable in the institution that they belong. They are also suggested the cascading in the institutional level.
Profile of the Participants & Resource SpeakersThere were 56 attendees composed of librarians, teacher librarians and other library personnel in the province of Cavite. There are also two participants coming from the Province of Batangas.
The resource speakers/trainers were :
Mr. Marcial Batiancila, President, PLAI-STRLC;
Ms. Sonia M. Gementiza, President, CLASS Inc. & Auditor of PLAI-STRLC;
Atty Jordan Teaño of Regional Trial Court, Trece Martires City and
Ms. Audrey Anday, Vice President of PLAI-STRLC.
The Proceedings of the Cascading at the Province of CaviteDuring the seminar-workshop in the provincial level, Ms. Sonia Gementiza shared with the participants that there is already one library in the town of Dasmarinas that provided free internet facilities for the students and other constituents of the town who would like to avail the internet services. This project was initiated by the former Mayor now a congressman Atty. Elpidio Barzaga. He proposed the construction of a three storey library building (Pambayang Aklatan ng Dasmarinas) in Brgy. Burol Dasmarinas Cavite in 2004. The 3rd floor of that building is dedicated for internet section where he initially get donation of computers to different sector. When he became a congressman, he coordinated with Mayor Jennifer Barzaga to continue the project and he provided 69 computer units with LCD monitor coming from his pork barrel. The congressmen and the municipality of Dasmarinas headed by Mayor Jenny Barzaga also coordinated with the principal of eight National High School in Dasmarinas to provide free computer training program for the public school students which includes the use of internet. The library is open from Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00p.m.
During the group discussion it was also raised by the participants the sustainability of the free internet use to all users if they will not charge any fee from the user especially in the private sector. Their concern includes the maintenance like electricity, monthly charges on internet connection and maintenance of computer units and its operation. The participants also agreed that the possibility of providing free internet access especially if there is support coming from the government or local officials of the municipality.
Administration of the Questionnaire & Training-Workshop EvaluationThe Questionnaire to Asses Internet Use and Policies were distributed to the participants during the training- workshop. The data gathered will serve as the baseline data from the province of Cavite and will be the basis in developing training program at the provincial level.
