P3-M performance fund to be used to buy computers

THE local government's P3-million Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) subsidy for its conferment of the seal of good housekeeping will be used to purchase 90 computers for distribution to selected schools in Zamboanga City.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the distribution of computers will be done in line with the City’s goal to achieve universal primary education and help address goal 2 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Lobregat said the 90 computers will be distributed to 18 public schools -- nine elementary and nine secondary -- that either do not have or have obsolete computer units, and are not doing in comparison with other schools in the national achievement test. These schools also have students who are showing low level of computer literacy.

The City Government is a recipient of the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) seal of good housekeeping for CY-2011-Round 2 for exemplary performance in governance, specifically in the areas of development planning, sound financial management, transparency and accountability.

The recognition goes with a P3-million PCF subsidy.

The P3-million check was awarded last Thursday to Lobregat by DILG Regional Director Paisal Abutazil following the signing of a memorandum of agreement during rites in City Hall.

Last June 5, 2012, the City Government donated and turned over 60 computer units to 12 public elementary and high schools with the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo gracing the event.

The computers, with complete accessories, were purchased utilizing the P2-million prize money as winner in the DILG-initiated Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Awards for excellence in local governance.

It is the intention of the computer program to increase the passing rate in the National Achievement Test and computer literacy.

The selection of the recipient schools will be done by the City Government and the Division of City Schools. (Bong Garcia)