Participant underscores Fee Based Scheme for iSchools project sustainability

A participant from the recently concluded Sustainability Planning Workshop held in Oxford Hotel in Clarkfield Pampanga expressed reservation on the Fee Based option for the sustainability of the ischools project.

During an open forum, Dr. Leonardo Canlas was quoted as saying, “We are in public service and we are not allowed to enter into any business.”

Engr. Teody Sayco, Project Manager from Central Luzon State University and an invited Resource person explained that the Fee Based option was not meant to gain profit. He added that instead, the scheme intends to sustain the project and provide for the maintenance of the computer laboratories through the minimal fees collected for the internet and computer use by the public.

Sayco elaborated that part of the sustainability plan of the project is the Obsolescence and Replacement Plan which assures that the beneficiary Public High Schools (PHS) have a plan on how to replace worn out parts of their computers. This is on top of their need to provide for their internet monthly fees and other overheads.

However, he emphasized that in order for the PHS to use the fee based option and other Financial Sustainability options discussed during the workshop, a second level memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has to be entered into by all stakeholders including the members of the community. The additional MOA was meant to assure that the PHS, the partner State University and Colleges (SUC), the Commission on Information Communications Technology (CICT) and the General Public are agreeable about the terms and conditions stipulated therein.

Rogel Quilala, PM from the Tarlac State University told Canlas and other participants present that apart from the Fee based option, other financial plans are also available. Quilala pointed out that the reason why the seminar workshop was being held was to give the participant PHS an idea how to maintain their computer laboratories and pick one that suits them well.

The workshop was held on April 14-16, 2009 sponsored by Tarlac State University, Tarlac College of Technology, Central Luzon State University, Pampanga Agricultural College, Bataan Plytecnic State University and Bataan State College. The affair was hosted by Pampanga Agricultural College.