A Masteral Thesis MDm major in Public Management PSU Urdaneta City MArch 2009

1. FARMERS’ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (FITS)
CENTER IN PANGASINAN.
____________________________________
A Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School
Pangasinan State University
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
__________________________________
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master in Development Management
major in Public Management
____________________________________
by
MA. KRISTINA EVANGELISTA
March 2009
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2. ABSTRACT
The study assessed the status of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services
(FITS) center in Pangasinan. It also determined the extent of implementation of services of
the center and the factors considered in the effective operations of the FITS center, as
perceived by the Site Manager. The problems encountered and solutions adopted in
operations of FITS center were also looked into.
The study used the descriptive-evaluative research design. The major instruments
used were the two sets of questionnaires, one for the Site Manager and the other was for the
farmers. The content validity of both instruments were computed and established.
Questionnaire for farmers were pilot tested to some farmers in City of San Fernando, La
Union.
The farmers were randomly selected using the simple random sampling techniques
from the copy of the official records provided by FITS Center.
Findings
Profile of FITS Center. Almost half (40.91%) of the FITS center were located at the
6th congressional district of Pangasinan while a little more than one-fourth (27.27%) were
located at the 5th congressional district, four (18.18%) of them were located at the 3rd
congressional district, while two (9. 09%) of them were located at the 4th congressional
district and one (4.55%) was located at the 1st congressional district. A little more than one-
third (36.36%) of FITS center were established year 2006, a little more than one-half
(54.55%) of them were established year 2007 and three (9.09%) were established year 2008.
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3. All FITS center have an equal number of employees, each has three employees comprises of
the following : one (1) Site Manager, one (1) Technology Service Specialist and one (1)
Information Service Specialist. More than one-half (63.64%) of the FITS center have one
computer unit, five (22.73%) have two-three computer units and three (13.64%) do not have
a computer unit. A little more than one-half (59.09%) of the FITS center have one printer and
nine (40.91%) do not have a printer. A little more than one-half (59.09%) of the FITS center
have one computer unit connected to an Internet and nine (40.91%) have no computer unit
connected to Internet. In terms of internet connectivity, a little less than one-half (40.91%) of
the FITS center were DSL internet connected, two (9.09%) were Broadband Internet
connected, one (4.55%) was Dial-up internet connected, one (4.55%) was ISDN internet
connected and a little less than one-half (40.91%) were not connected. All (100%) of the
FITS center were offering technology information in multimedia format. A little more than
one-half (54.55%) were offering exhibit of new technologies and products, more than one-
half (59.095%) were offering Internet Service and eight (36.36%) were offering Short
Messaging Service, while only ten (45.45%) were offering FITS databases. More than three-
fourth (81.82%) of the FITS center was offering technology training. A little less than one-
half (45.45%) were offering technology clinic/ demonstration, a little more than three-fourth
(77.27%) linked clients-farmers to experts and financial institution and majority (90.91%) of
them were offering technical assistance/ consultancy.
Extent of Implementation of Services of FITS Center. All the five indicators in
information services were rated by the farmers with a descriptive rating of “Satisfied”
namely: the technology information in multimedia formats used words/ languages/ dialects
that are easy to comprehend and understand (3.106), the technology information in
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4. multimedia formats) is comprehensive, it provides a detailed direction on technical “know
hows” and covered all areas of concerns (3.039), the technology information in multimedia
formats (video, voice, print, etc) have appropriate graphic elements to support the text
elements (3.133), responses to our query on technology information i.e., SMS, Internet are
sufficient, fast and made available within 24 hours (2.816) and the fee/ charge, if any for the
technology information in multimedia formats are reasonable and just (3.020). On the other
hand, all five indicators in the technology services were rated by the farmers with a
descriptive rating of “Least Satisfied” namely: the technology training fee/consultation fee,
if any are reasonable and just (2.549), the duration of technology training is just enough to
acquire new knowledge and skills on certain methodology (2.561), the experts during the
technology training/clinic are really knowledgeable in their own field (2.518), the technology
clinic is strategically available and accessible (2.490) and Staff of the technology
clinic/training are competent, courteous and approachable (2.514).
Factors Considered in the Effective Operation of the FITS Center. All (100%)
Site Manager perceived that location was one of the factors to be considered in the effective
operation of the center, almost all (95.45%) of them also considered financial resources, a
little more than three-fourths (77.27%) considered human resources, twenty (90.91%)
considered the commitment of local chief executive and nineteen (86.36%) considered
physical resources. A modest (4.55%) suggested that the training/ competency of staff to
manage the center and updated technology information materials should also be considered.
Problems Encountered and Solutions Adopted in the Operations of FITS Center.
The problems encountered by the Site Manager in the operations of FITS Center were ranked
from one to five in terms of magnitude as follows : Insufficient financial resources to
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5. maintain/ upgrade the center, insufficient information and knowledge on the provisions of
FITS Center, insufficient technology experts in the locality and obsolete and insufficient of
infrastructures, insufficient information, education and communication (IEC)
materials, insufficient staff to manage the center and old and dilapidated building where the
center was located. The solutions adopted were also ranked one to six based on the
decreasing frequencies as follows: Local Government Units to allocate funds for the
maintenance and other operating expenses of the center, conduct information dissemination
and advocacy program to farmers regarding the provision of the center, purchase new and
modern infrastructures, coordinate with other municipality and concerned agencies, NGOs
for partnership, solicit and purchase additional IEC materials and/or lobby for sponsorship,
recruitment of new personnel to augment manpower needs and lobby for Build, Operate and
Transfer (BOT) and Scheme.
Benefits Derived from FITS Center. Easy comprehension of technology, made
available in multimedia formats ranked first among the benefits derived from FITS Center.
Coming in second was easy access to experts, firms and financial institutions for partnership.
The third ranked benefits derived from the center are : Internet link that offers unlimited
opportunities to participate in e-commerce through quick information access and quick
response to query through short message service (SMS) technology. The fourth was acquired
new knowledge and a skill through technology training. Ranked fifth was increased
productivity/ profitability. Keep abreast with the latest technology through technology clinic,
reduced operation cost on production cost, establishments of FITS databases for easy
retrieval and updates of information and participates in the planning process by providing
feedbacks in our information needs ranked sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.
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6. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are arrived at:
The FITS Center in Pangasinan are mostly located in the 5th and 6th congressional
district of the province, more than one-half were established year 2007 and have computer
unit and printer, less than one-half have internet connections.
The farmers satisfied with the information services but least satisfied with technology
services of the center.
The Site Manager revealed that location was one of the factors to be considered in the
effective operation of the center, followed by financial resources.
The major problems encountered by the Site Manager in the operation of the FITS
center in Pangasinan boil down to the lack of financial resources that affected the efficient
and effective operation of the center
Solutions adopted to identified problems by the Site Manager are: local Government
Units to allocate funds for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the center,
conduct information dissemination and advocacy program to farmers regarding the provision
of the center, purchase new and modern infrastructures, coordinate with other municipality
and concerned agencies, NGOs for partnership, solicit and purchase additional IEC materials
and/or lobby for sponsorship, recruitment of new personnel to augment manpower needs and
lobby for Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) and Scheme.
Farmers identified some benefits they have enjoyed as follows: easy comprehension
of technology, made available in multimedia formats, easy access to experts, firms and
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7. financial institutions for partnership, Internet link that offers unlimited opportunities to
participate in e-commerce through quick information access, quick response to query through
short message service (SMS) technology. acquired new knowledge and a skill through
technology training, increased productivity/ profitability, keep abreast with the latest
technology through technology clinic, reduced operation cost on production cost,
establishments of FITS databases for easy retrieval and updates of information and
participates in the planning process by providing feedbacks in our information needs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On the basis of the foregoing findings and conclusions, the following
recommendations are forwarded:
Local Government Unit should be tap to allocate funds for the maintenance and other
operating expenses of the FITS center to ensure its sustainability. A sound government policy
must be geared towards the production and provision of adequate high quality Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) services and equipments that match the demand of
the clientele.
Site Manager should plan their approaches in communication strategies. The focus
should be persuasive and motivational, so farmers will develop faith and high degree of
confidence of the center. All channel of communication should be employed to reach the
end-users. In addition, funds for communication activities must be source out including travel
expenses, operating expenses for the mobility of the extension agents.
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8. Improvement of information technologies in multimedia formats must be spearheaded
as a vital component of all development efforts. These technologies must be in language/
dialect easily understood by clientele.
Replication of the study is also recommended.
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