[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 15, 2008
By JACK C. GADAINGAN
NAVAL, Biliran — The Biliran Provincial Technology Learning Center (BPTLC), a computer learning institution owned by the provincial government, is set to expand with the addition of two branches in the towns of Caibiran and Culaba in this island province.
Biliran Gov. Rogelio Roger J. Espina said the expansion is meant to serve more of Biliran’s constituents, particularly those who do not have the time and resources to go to this capital town for computer literacy training, so that they, too, will gain a competitive edge in the job market.
The provincial government has already submitted a reapplication for registration of the IT learning center with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which included the two new branches, BPTLC-Caibiran and BPTLC-Cabucgayan, that are scheduled to open this month.
Along with the two new branches, the BPTLC application for amended registration with TESDA also annexes the special learning program called the Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad (SCALA) to the new branches.
Espina said that SCALA is a computer literacy program designed for the poor young people of Biliran, particularly the out-of-school youths (OSYs) and those with disability -- so that they are also given the opportunity to become productive members of the community.
The main BPTLC was established in September 2005 to help Biliranon graduates and even those in the workforce get better chances of finding jobs by making them information technology (IT) literates in computer applications needed by hiring companies, offices, establishments and industries.
It was also designed to provide government and private employees with computer literacy training during their spare time so that they would become more productive in their respective jobs; and to compliment the capability of the educational sector to teach IT subjects.
The main BPTLC is located at the Museo de Panamao Building at the capitol compound in this capital town.
