The city library located at the Vigan Conservation Complex is offering free Wi-Fi and computer access to residents who need to make online transactions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a post on their social media, the Vigan City Library stated that computer units with internet connection are ready to accommodate the needs of every resident in the city. Especially, students without computers at home or who have problems with slow internet and Wi-Fi connectivity at home.
According to a press release, the library announced that the initiative is to help its clientele for online enrolment and in line with the Department of Education (DepEd)’s plan to implement virtual learning.
However, with Ilocos Sur being under modified general community quarantine, it was clarified that residents 21-year old and below are not yet allowed to go out.
To address this, the City Librarian, Czarina Mae Ulibas, said that since parents are allowed to enrol their children, they are free to visit the library and their management will assist them in filling up the enrolment forms issued by the respective schools.
The library has a total of 25 computer units, but to observe physical distancing as mandated by the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, only 12 units are utilised.
She noted that as citizens must practice the ‘new normal’, the library will have to observe the one-meter distance or one seat apart between users. Social distancing, wearing of facemask, checking of temperature, and hand sanitising must always be observed to ensure the safety of everyone.
For the past five days, the library has accommodated stranded students from the University of Northern Philippines who are attending online classes.
Interested residents are reminded to bring their valid ID and if they have their own gadgets at home, they can bring them and connect to the city library’s Wi-Fi for free.
Vigan City Library is open from Mondays to Fridays but for the meantime, once the quarantine period ends, library hours will resume from Monday to Sundays.
OpenGov reported earlier that the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) in Bangui is equipping the youth in their community with digital tools, through the Kabataan Learning Centre (KLC).
In partnership with the local government of Bangui and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, KLC will provide free internet access, printing services, and use of computers, which are the top priorities of students for their online classes.
Moreover, students can utilise the nine units of desktop computers, 50 Mbps internet connection, and five printers that the learning centre is offering.
The SK Federation President in Bangui, Justine Philip Meneses, shared that each of their 14 barangays have used their 2019 SK fund to provide for additional financial support to augment the financial contributions of their LGU to their Municipal Youth Development Plan (MYDP) for the provision of equipment and facilities needed for the establishment of the KLC.