Grant Amount: US$ 29,974

Keywords: TELECENTRE, DATABASE, RURAL, ECONOMIC, PHILIPPINES

Geographic coverage: Philippines

Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a viable and self-sustaining Philippine telecentre business model, leading to wider access to information in marginalized communities.

Research context

Convergence in information and communications technology (ICT) tools offers new cost-effective means for the achievement of universal access. This project develops a model for community telecentres that integrates development goals and business objectives. The model expands marketing and distribution channels, lowers transactions costs, aggregates demand and buying power and provides access to ICTs for isolated communities. The project aims to recommend government intervention strategies in support of telecentre development and contribute to learning about ICT for development initiatives by documenting various efforts and partnerships among the government, private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and donor agencies in promoting telecentres in the Philippines.

Target beneficiaries

The survey and analysis of community needs, identification of relevant technologies and applications and development of a sustainable telecentre business model are expected to benefit a wide range of public and private sector telecentre operators. Results can be used by government agencies such as the National Computer Centre (NCC) and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The database, policy recommendations and analysis of ICT for development programmes can benefit government agencies by providing an enabling environment to achieve universal access through deployment of community telecentres. This includes the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), the NCC, the Telecommunications Office, the National Telecommunications Commission, and Local Government Units (LGUs). Finally, the rural end-users benefit from the proliferation and enhanced services of community telecentres.

Outputs

• Recommendations on government intervention strategies and policies for the creation of an investment climate that is favourable to the establishment and operation of telecentres in rural areas;
• A business model for a viable and self-sustaining telecentre in rural areas;
• A database of existing telecentres and similar efforts to achieve universal access, such as projects using ICT as a development tool; and
• Presentation of survey results.

Research results and outcomes

To date the project completed a comprehensive overview of past and existing telecentre initiatives in the country and conducted an analysis to identify the main features of a successful telecentre.

The Philippine Government began establishing telecentres called public calling offices in 1989. In 2002 a policy promoting private sector participation was issued. In 2003, the Commission on ICT developed the concept of Community e-Centres (CeCs). In the 2005 National Budget, each Congressional district was allotted PHP1 million for the establishment of CeCs. As of December 2005, the e-Government Fund had helped set up about 60 CeC sites nationwide and provided equipment to 39 CeCs. Additional telecentres around the country are funded by NGOs, international donor agencies and LGUs. Private sector participation includes contribution of equipment and connectivity solutions from organizations such as Microsoft, Intel, Smart Communication, Globe Telecom, Bitsop and CVISNet. While many of these projects are in their pilot stage, project research shows that the lack of sustainable plans for training, maintenance and economic viability has caused a number of them to fail. These efforts are often disaggregated and do not adhere to an overarching national development programme. Although, the objective of providing convenient access to information and communications services are clear, the overall direction and sustainability plan varies, if present at all.

The research team has undertaken study tours to four telecentres located in the three major regions of the country and conducted client exit surveys and interviews with key stakeholders. The team also conducted a study tour to a successful learning centre in Baan Samkha, Lampang in Thailand that uses ICT applications in support of community development programmes. From these results the project concludes that the most salient features of successful telecentres that can be applied in the local context are as follows. The key to create demand and financial viability of the telecentre is to provide information and content that is relevant to the local community. Complementing this is the need to provide programmes aimed at building relevant ICT skills, particularly in rural areas where people are not comfortable or familiar with technology. The project also found it is useful to identify a local champion (such as a farmer, teacher, or out-of-school youth) who is dedicated to promoting the centre and developing services that are relevant in the community context. Sustainability of the centre requires community participation in telecentre operation and management. The project recognizes that many initiatives are in different stages of development and have different needs at different times. To address this, the project recommends that an incremental approach to introducing the interventions mentioned above may be most appropriate.

The project has made progress in developing its recommendations on government intervention strategies and policy options that address "information poverty," expand universal access and bridge the digital gap. The team developed an initial draft of the database of ICT and telecentre projects in the Philippines. The database is being regularly updated and will include a matrix of projects initiated by government, NGOs, international funding agencies and the private sector. Finally, the project is working to complete a citizen-centric, market-oriented business model for the viable and sustainable operation of telecentres in rural communities with the end goal of achieving universal access, bridging the digital divide, enhancing economic development and improving the welfare of the community.

Project Duration

Start Date: January 2005
End Date: August 2006
Total Duration: 19 Months

Contact information

Mr. Enrico Basilio, Director for Special Projects
Centre for Research and Communication Foundation
Unit 1103 Pacific Centre Building, San Miguel Avenue
Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, Philippines
Email: ebasilio@uap.edu.ph

Website: http://www.crc.org.ph