Makati boosts computer literacy at barangay level

In an effort to bring technology to the people, much like how Prometheus, in Greek mythology, brought fire to mankind, the city government of Makati will offer its residents free computer training lectures and activities beginning next month.

The office of Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado is spearheading the project that will run for four straight weeks.

The program, which is managed by the Barangay Computer Center Management and Operations under his supervision, will start on Oct. 13.

“The one-month free computer training program that we are offering is part of the city government’s continuing efforts to educate our employees and residents about the basics of popular computer applications, which they can use at home and at work,” Mercado said. “We are pursuing this to equip our residents with needed computer knowledge and skills currently in demand in the job market,” he said.

Mercado said the training is open to city government employees and to bona fide residents aged 15 years old and above who will be divided into two batches: “Batch 7-08 will have their classes from Oct. 13 to Nov. 7, and Batch 8-08 will have their turn on Nov. 17 to Dec. 12,” he said.

He said that the program module will provide basic computer skills training on Microsoft Office applications like MS Word, Excel and Power Point. It will also include a comprehensive lecture portion and numerous hands-on activities, which will help participants apply and practice what they have learned from the lectures.

The classes will be held in the 24 barangay computer centers around the city and at the Makati Youth Center where there will be three sessions to be conducted: 12 noon to 2 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. There will be assigned trainers in each barangay who will conduct the training.

Mercado said the last day of training of the participants will be the graduation proper and participants who will successfully complete the training will be given certificates of completion.

“We are calling on all our employees and residents to take advantage of this opportunity. We hope that through this program, we will soon see more of the graduates of our barangay computer training centers getting employed or engaged in a related venture, such as a computer shop business,” he said.

According to him, interested applicants may inquire with computer centers located in their barangay halls and look for the IT instructor or kagawad in charge of the education committee for more details about the program.

“Applicants may also call the office of the vice mayor at telephone numbers 870-1130, 870-1133, and 899-8869, and look for Niel Agoo or Sarah Cabanlig,” Mercado said.