Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The Sagunto Barangay Captain's Wish List

This is Omom (AKA Babot)I just arrived in Los Angeles from a whirlwind trip to Sagunto (from Feb. 14th thru 19th). During my visit I had a chance to meet with the barangay Captain Esteban and Secretary Loejan. One of the many items we discussed were the needs of the barangay to help improve the village. There are many items on the wish list and basic needs that are simply not available due to the lack of funds.

I suggested a fund raising to target the many expatriates and OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)abroad and the way to reach so many people is the internet; thanks to Jmom, we can now do it. Living overseas where computers in every home is internet connected is a norm, I was shocked at the hardship of small businesses and administrative offices in the lower levels (like the Municipal and Barangay level)where they still do business the "old fashioned" way of ledgers and paper book-keeping, etc. What we may regard as junk overseas is a treasure in the barangay. As an example, I have a laptop that I was going to trash because it has the old Windows 97 and not up to par with today's Western standards and the memory would be too low for the internet and games to work on. Loejan requested I ship it to the barangay---it could be used for letter writing and/or simple book-keeping purposes. So that item is on the list to send.

The numerous items that the barangay needs (and this list is open-ended and will be added on to)but are not covered by any funds or budget:

- Air conditioning unit inside the Barangay Hall (Abung) or at least in the Captain's office. The heat is stifling and often times when a confidential situation is discussed in the captain's office, said confidentiality is at risk of being breached because the windows are opened and other's may hear.

-Xerox copier for administrative business

-Toners for the Xerox copier
- Computer with internet capability in the Barangay Hall
- Funds to cover internet connectivity
-Used Vehicle for Barangay Captain's use when he has to investigate issues in and around the village as they occur. Other barangay captains already enjoy this benefit but ours still has to travel on his own.
- Reserve funds for miscellaneous office supplies

The photo below is the only internet cafe in Sagunto. It is owned and operated by Mr. Ferdie Santillano. Though the kids enjoy it for their games, it's hardly an appropriate place to conduct barangay business. I think the computer and internet connectivity is a priority and donations and individual pledges are now being accepted.


Comments are welcomed and appreciated. Omom

11 comments:

JMom said...

hi sis, thanks for the update. There is lots of work to be done for sure. I hope this is a start to more good things happening for Sagunto. I'm proud of you for getting the ball rolling, and in a short time at that ;)

Omom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Omom said...

Hiya Sis,
Sorry haven't a chance to call yet been busy with briefings, etc. At any rate, there's more work to be done. Spread the news to the Londoners that the blog is now up and running. You can probably write some more about our village until Loejan is more familiar with the Blogger publishing. He's currently getting tutored but will take over full-time as he becomes more familiar with the system. So until then, we can help as guest writers/reporters/fundraisers on the site. I'm planning a letter writing campaign to the San Bernardino kabarangayans to get more support and donations.
Omom

Omom said...

Jmom, can you put a visitor counter on the page. It would be interesting to see how fast the word spreads and the number of visits to the site. Thanks,
Omom

JMom said...

hehe! you're psychic.... I put sitemeter in yesterday. Scroll down to the footer :)

I'm thinking of making an images of Sagunto page so we can post photos. I'm sure there are many expats who long to see how Sagunto looks now.

Anonymous said...

Hello US Mommies,
Japan mommy here...Could you also post photos of cute Saguntinians, hangouts and "famous spots", (say Lakay Martin's kantina) for those who want to trod memory lane, etc.

Kudos! Really great efforts pouring in now, sisters. How about some pics of "paksiw nga tokak", savory pinikpikan, or even that "ar-arrosip" picture you have. And please, just don't forget to post photos of the Barangay officials too! Gee! Thank you so much Sagunto officials for making us all happy last December! You are truly wonderful!
Viva! Sagunto!
Emily

Anonymous said...

jmom, sisjo, omom

Nice job ladies! (i almost said 'girls'.). Time does fly.
Kumusta kayo tres Marias. Browsing through your blogs, looks like you all are doing fine and having a good time. The big JMOM just called to let me know about your Sagunto site and about your Philippine vacation. She is still 'agpanpanateng' but she was so excited to let me know about the Sagunto blog that you created. I had to log in and see it. Again, nice job and keep it up.

I'm now a lolo 3x but still Uncle B to you.

Regards to all,
LoloBoyingA

JMom said...

Uncle B! Imbag man ta nasapulan da kami on the web! :) Didn't even know mom knows how to give out internet addresses. haha!! But then, there is hope. She just learned texting, so maybe she'll soon learn about surfing and emails :D

Uncle, don't forget to visit the Sagunto Images side of this blog. That is where we will keep our socializing and brainstorming. We'll try to keep this side for Barangay announcements only. Luv ya!!

JiMs said...

hey! never thoght we Saigon2 will be globalized! NaaaaaHHH!

Love it!

Proud of Ya!

Anonymous said...

The said Internet cafe of sagunto is located at brgy. Artacho...that's a fact. There's a lot of mistakes on this site, I hope you should think twice before posting anything... More power^^

Anonymous said...

I think Amersoft Computer Repair & Services is the first computer shop in Sagunto w/c is owned i think by Amerson T. Malqued....