The Valenzuela City government launched a free Wi-Fi and mobile educational hub dubbed as “Just E-Connect” at the Barangay Gen. T. De Leon on Saturday, Oct. 15.
In partnership with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Gen. T. De Leon, “Just E-Connect” program aims to facilitate expense-free research and education for those students who do not have data and gadgets.
Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian, along with first district Rep. Rex Gatchalian and Gen. T. De Leon SK Chairman Justine Joy Rivera, joined in the inaugural trip of “Just E-Connect” van to Sitio Kabatuhan II Covered Court in the same barangay.
The mobile education hub is an air conditioned van with laptops, television set, printer and a photocopying machine.
The youth leaders said they wanted to help those who are having difficulty accessing their online classes, doing online research and group works, among others amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The “Just E-Connect” was also purposely fabricated relatively small to easily navigate narrow alleys to reach the innermost corners of the community.
The city government had entered into a memorandum of agreement with Gentinian Youth Leaders and Rivera to help co-fund their mobile education hub project.
The P300,000 obtained from Galing Pook Awards which the local government won in Valenzuela Live in October 2021 served as the seed fund of the project.
The city government added it is set to install 17 Wi-Fi spots in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon.
Mayor Gatchalian also said he plans to roll out a Mobile Wi-Fi Stations in the city.
“Ang internet issue, always remains an issue. Alam naman po natin dito sa Valenzuela City ay hindi perpekto ang pagbibigay ng internet connection. Ang balak ko po, ay magkaroon ng ‘mobile wi-fi station’. Dadaan tayo sa isang kumunidad at magbabato tayo ng libreng internet doon. Umiikot po ang van na ‘yon hanggang maabot ang mga lugar na may mahinang Wi-Fi connection (The internet issue, always remains an issue. We all know here in Valenzuela City that the provision of internet connection is not perfect. My intention is to have a ‘Mobile Wi-Fi Station’. It will go to a community and we will throw free internet there. That van keeps going around until it reaches the areas with weak Wi-Fi connection),” he noted.
Rex Gatchalian, meanwhile, commended Rivera, the SK Council, and the members of Gentinian Youth Organization for their efforts and perseverance in pursuing the program.
“This prototype will undergo monitoring and observation for improvement possibilities. A similar project can also be launched in other barangays in the city, and in other localities in the country,” he said.
“Kahit face-to-face na, may kaakibat na gastos ‘yung pupunta ka sa computer shop para magpa-print o mag-research. So, ito mobile library, umikot sa mga areas na nangangailangan (Even if it's face-to-face already,) there is an associated cost when you go to a computer shop to print or do research. So, this mobile library makes rounds to the areas that need it)," he added.
Also present in the event were Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Councilors Niña Lopez, Louie Nolasco, and Chiqui Carreon, Barangay Councilors from Barangay Gen. T. de Leon, and various youth organizations from different barangays.