Today’s rapid advances in information technologies have revolutionized the role of libraries. Lapu-Lapu City is heading toward an environment in which digital information may substitute for much print-based information, thus the birth of the city’s first-ever e-library—a timely and relevant initiative of the Chan administration with the goal of providing all Oponganons the instant access to digitized information and consist of a variety of information including multimedia.
Last October 9 at Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City, Oponganons were able to witness the blessing and launching of the city’s first-ever government-run e-library which was spearheaded by Mayor Junard Ahong Chan who initially gave the order for his management team to set up an e-library for the first 100 days of his term since education is one of his topmost priority and agenda. He was accompanied by Lapu-Lapu City Councilors Hon. Marshall Icong, Hon. Queenie Malingin Aman, Hon Gregorio Igoy Paquibot, Hon Eduardo Cuizon, Department Heads and other personnel of the Chan administration, Lapu-Lapu City Chinese Guild as well as the students and teachers of the Lapu-Lapu City College.
The city government partnered with Smart Communications represented by Head of PLDT enterprise Jimmy Chua, AVP for Smart Wifi Regina Pineda, Assistant AVP for Smart Public Affairs Atty. Jane Paredes, Head for PLDT & Smart Consumer Sales (Cebu & Eastern Visayas) Alexis Winters, VISMIN community Head Nancy Nacua, Business Manager for Lapu-Lapu Jeremiah Datoon and RM for Lapu-Lapu City Glenn Candia who provided fast, reliable, sufficient and world-class internet connection to make the e-library fully functional. “What we guarantee you is the connectivity is going to be world-class. No more hourglass, no more running circles.” Pineda assured everyone. She also expressed willingness to support Chan’s projects that would be provided with free world-class connectivity, to include the Lapu-Lapu City College, City Hall, and the City Hospital.
The Phase 1 of the e-library which can accommodate up to 40 individuals located just beside Hoopsdome is a spacious and fully-airconditioned room which houses 20 modern computer whose Central Processing Unit (CPU) was built-in to its monitor. All brand-new computers were donated by the Lapu-Lapu City Chinese Guild led by its President Shouqi Zhao. It was furnished with computer tables, tiled floors, couch, tables, printer and decorated with thirteen framed paintings which were the historical landmarks in Lapu-Lapu city painted by the Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon’s husband, Ahmed Cuizon who is currently the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director for Region 3 (Central Luzon). The Phase 2, an adjacent room which will hold 30 additional computers courtesy of partnering BPO company, The Results, will provide free training to the proposed Call Center Academy that will be set up at the e-Library. Both facilities will be available 24/7 as per Mayor Chan, who stated that this e-library project of his originally started in Barangay Pajo where he used to be the captain, “I first conceptualized the e-Library when I was barangay captain of Pajo because I am thinking about the welfare of the less fortunate students who can’t afford the fees in the internet shop for doing research,” the city’s honorable father and mayor proudly stated.
The use of computers and printing cost is free for everyone however users are limited with a maximum of two hours so others would be accommodated. The e-Library is strictly for research purposes only. Emails and use of other social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, dating sites, pornography, e-games, among others, are highly discouraged and prohibited. But users are allowed to bring their gadgets and can access the free wifi. A set of rules will also be strictly observed and implemented inside the e-library.
Lapu-Lapu City is so far the first local government unit within Cebu to set-up an e-library and its main mission is to provide its constituents, the Oponganons, a safe, affordable and convenient place to study, research and hang-out. It is for the student, out of school youth, senior citizens, PWDs, women, single parents, LGBTQ and everyone is welcome to use this facility to think, read, study, surf the internet, research, explore one’s creativity and make this their creative place. The Chan administration hopes that this e-library will be the place where new ideas are born, where future Oponganon topnotchers will study and review, where exam passers will spend hours reading books, where every student can learn their lessons in peace, where they can print their documents for free.
This is truly the beginning of a brighter future for Lapu-Lapu City and the Oponganons as Mayor Junard Ahong Chan and his administration committed to work harder to have more partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations to make this e-library a bigger, better and fully-functional learning common facility.
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