Ex barangay worker finds better livelihood in internet

TABUK, Kalinga - With an increasing demand of computer related activities and access in the internet, a former barangay employee found better source of livelihood with the establishment of an internet café here.

After he was terminated as casual employee, Roger Pannogan of Bulanao started a business as a joint venture with a cousin with just three computers for rental while accepting computer servicing, book binding encoding as part of his services.

But with both being new in the business, said joint venture did not last long. But determined, Roger availed a loan and established his own internet café.

With five computer units, he applied for an internet connection saving every penny he made from the rentals and computer repairs.

He also tried selling computer units. After a year of operation, he has now 15 computers and was able to establish himself as a technician even servicing several government offices and private individuals.

He has also hired a shopkeeper to tend to his café while he does computer servicing job orders.

Roger has just renovated his shop to accommodate more seats and is preparing to acquire more units to contain the influx of students and employees who usually come before or after class and office hours to access the internet either for research, keep in touch with friends and relatives abroad or just play the latest games.

“I believe that it was just my determination and interest in what I do that made this all possible,” he said relating that he learned his skills in computer servicing, bookbinding and knowledge in computer operation through self taught and his business management skills from his experiences while tending a shop of a cousin who also used to own a bookbinding, computer service and photocopy shop.

“Before the establishment of my net café, I tried my luck and applied for an overseas work but failed to get any employment,” he said adding that investing and working in his own hometown is not that bad after all.

He said that in this era of information technology, internet cafés have now become indispensable considering the vital role of computers and internet access in education, office works, business and several others. -- GGD