Thursday, July 22, 2010

Be Aware! Be Involved!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Open Data Initiative Orientation

Orientation program is more than a cursory introduction to a university. The professional librarians and the knowledge facilitator of the Knowledge and Information Resource Network, in their desire to provide excellent services to all Paulinians, had planned and delivered an orientation program to all the freshmen and transferee students of the University. The program aimed to introduce the services and resources that these students will be utilizing over the course of their time in the university library and to enhance their research skills.

The professional librarians, Ms. Corazon Tumbali, Mr. Santiago Tagacay and Mr. Venancio Pamittan had conducted the said orientation utilizing the Knowledge and Information Resource Network (KIRN) website (https://sites.google.com/site/kirnspup) as a tool in presenting the organizational structure, policies, linkages, resources and services of the library. Meanwhile, Mr. Ronaldo Sumait, the Knowledge for Development Center (KDC) Librarian also facilitated the World Bank (WB) 101, an orientation on KDC facilities and activities. He also discussed the Open Data Initiative--an open source of the online resources of the WB (http://data.worldbank.org).

Mr. Tagacay demonstrated the use of KIRN online resources


Mr. Sumait introduced the services and resources of the KDC


The new Online Resources of the KDC (the WB Open Data Initiative) exploited by Mr. Sumait


Ms. Tumbali discussed the KIRN policies, resources and services

The use of Adaptive Technology for Visually Impaired was exemplified by Mr. Sumait

The librarians also clearly elucidated the richness of the library resources in both print and non-print formats. Aside from the books, CD-ROMs, periodicals, audiovisuals and theses/dissertations, the university library also offers Free Online Resources. These are the journal databases which are available online with full-text articles, e-books, e-theses and e-dissertations that can be easily downloaded.


Monday, July 12, 2010

“National Orientation-Workshop in Capacitating Employers and Trainers Toward Promoting the PWD’s Right to Employment”


Breaking Barriers for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities (BBCY) in partnership with the Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KAMPI) and the Danish Society of Polio and Accident Victims (PTU) has conducted a “National Orientation-Workshop in Capacitating Employers and Trainers Toward Promoting the PWD’s Right to Employment” held in Eurotel North Edsa, Quezon City last July 5-6, 2010.

Mr. Ronaldo Sumait, the Knowledge for Development Center Knowledge Facilitatror and Adaptive Technology for Visually Impaired trainor, joined the other participants (educators, employers, trainors and PWDs) from the Training Development Centers (TDCs) in the cities of Tuguegarao, Dagupan, Iloilo and Roxas.

The evolving capacities of children as growing Young Adults With Disabilities (YAWDs) have broadened the BBCY’s perspectives to developing a more comprehensive program that would address their needs to having meaningful and gainful economic opportunities. Limited access to employment in the disability sector remains a major barrier for their social and economic participation. It is for this reason that this endeavor was organized.


Mr. Sumait joined the TESDA representatives, trainors, educators and PWDs in modifying the existing training modules to suit the needs and capacities of the YAWDs.


The activity was the participants’ contribution to the realization of the comprehensive disability law specified in the Magna Carta for PWDs under Chapter 1, Section 5 on Employment which states that 5% of all casual emergency and contractual positions in the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Health; Education; Culture and Sports; and other government agencies, offices or corporations engaged in social development shall be reserved for disabled persons. Further, this is in fulfillment of the Article 27 of the United Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities that recognizes their right to work on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to PWDs.
The Participants

BBCY National Project Director, Visitacion Apostol together with Mr. Sumait

Thursday, July 8, 2010

“Access to Information Policy and Open Data Initiative KDC Training-Workshop”

Knowledge and Information Resource Network Director Dr. Rosalinda Tanguilan and Knowledge for Development (KDC) Knowledge Facilitator Mr. Ronaldo Sumait attended the “Access to Information Policy and Open Data Initiative KDC Training-Workshop” held in Linden Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City last June 21, 2010. The activity aimed to (a) Discuss the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy and Open Data Initiative, (b) Get feedback, address concerns and issues regarding maximizing access under the Policy and the Initiative and (c) Train KDC staff on handling requests for Access to Information and on guiding researchers on the use of the Open Access Data Catalog (www.data.worldbank.org)


Ms. Moira Enerva explicated the Access to Information Policy

The participants




Dr. Tanguilan of SPUP expounded some roles of the KDC in disseminating information to the society

Mary Gautier, the World Bank (WB) Portfolio and Operations Manager and Access to Information (AI) Focal Person cordially received the participants from the eleven (11) KDCs and regional depository libraries across the nation. Ms. Moira Enerva, the WB-KDC Public Information, External relations discussed AI’s disclosure and access. Meanwhile, Open Data Initiative was introduced by Vince Abrigo, the External Relations of WB-Philippines. The participants were given a hands-on and simulation exercises after which the KDC information sharing for AI and Open Data activity planning was initiated. The workshop ended with the presentation of activity plans of each KDC and a closing remark by Nor Gonzales of WB-Philippines.

Ms. Nor Gonzales of WB-Philippines delivered her closing remarks




Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Forum on Improved Investment Climate: Beyond the 2010 Elections

Asian Institute of Management (AIM) - Global Distance Learning Center (GDLC) hosted a videoconference entitled Forum on Improvement Investment Climate: Beyond the 2010 Elections last February 8, 2010. The members of the panel, Bert Hofman, WB Country Director; Eriwn Tiongson, AIM faculty; Jesse Ang, Resident Representative, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Ulrich Lachler, Lead Economist, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management in East Asia and the Pacific; and Kim Jacinto Henares, Private Sector Development Specialist were based at AIM-GDLC connected to St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP), Tuguegarao City and University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao. The DevBuzz was moderated by Mike Luz, Associate Dean - AIM Center for Development. Meanwhile, Mr. Ronaldo Sumait, SPUP-KDC Knowledge Facilitator and Mark Ventura, SPUP-Public Administration and Legal Management Faculty served as local organizer and local moderator respectively.
Participants from Department of Interior and Local Government Region 02, National Economic and Development Region 02, Department of Trade and Industry Region 02 and Provincial Office, Department of Agriculture Region 02, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 02, Provincial Tourism Office, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Cagayan Chapter, BBY, CWWD, and the City Mayor of Tuguegarao attended the videoconference. 
The forum focused on improved investment climate, which is one of the topics for the "Discussion Notes (2010)". The Philippines country team prepared a set of Discussion Notes on various topics aligned with the strategic objectives of the World Bank country assistance strategy. These Discussion Notes were intended to serve as vehicles for informing policy discussions, and could be considered by the government as it engages with development partners, including the World Bank Group, in the formulation of the next Medium-Term Philippines Development Plan.

The Mobile KDC


The Mobile KDC in partnership with the SPUP Community Extension Services has conducted storytelling sessions in Inga, Enrile, Cagayan and Larion Alto, Tuguegarao City on January 16 and January 30, 2010 respectively.

The Knowledge and Information Resource Network librarians headed by the Knowledge for Development Center Information Staff, Mr. Ronaldo Sumait together with the 3rd and 4th year Bachelor in Library and Information Science students steered the said activity .






SPUP-KDC visited and updated the resources of KDC Nooks


The SPUP-KDC Information Staff, Mr. Ronaldo Sumait, Ms. Corazon Tumbali, SPUP Librarian, and Mr. Benjie Cabrera, BLIS Student visited and updated the resources of the KDC Nooks of Cagayan National High School, Tuguegarao City, Department of Interior and Local Government Unit Regional Office 02, and Tagga Barangay Hall, Tagga, Tuguegarao City.

DILG Region 02 KDC Nook



Cagayan National High School KDC Nook

Tagga KDC Nook

Courtesy of the World Bank-KDC, information materials such as books, periodicals, CDs and posters were distributed to enrich the collection of the nooks. The visit aimed at monitoring the utilization, promotion and organization of the collection.