BACOLOD CITY -- The Philippine-Saudi Arabia Hiligaynon, Inc. (PINAS-SAHI) has donated 13 personal computer sets and two printer units for the digital literacy program of the Bacolod City Public Library.
The donation was turned over by PINAS-SAHI International Association, Inc.’s immediate past president Arman Montero and his brother, past president engineer Virgilio Montero, to city officials led by Councilor Cindy Rojas and City Administrator John Orola in rites held at the main lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday.
Engineer Montero said the association chose the city library as recipient to help improve the implementation of its digital literacy program.
“We saw that they lack computers so the board approved this donation,” he said.
Members of PINAS-SAHI include professional and skilled Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Western Visayas or who have roots in the region.
Montero, who had worked as a mechanical engineer in Saudi Arabia for 23 years, said those who have retired and returned to the Philippines for good like him have become members of the association for life.
Those who continue to work in Saudi Arabia, like his brother, Arman, provide financial support to the projects of PINAS-SAHI in the Philippines, he said.
He added the association has also sponsored various projects in some schools in other provinces of Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, City Librarian Greta Memoria said the donation will boost the library’s digital literacy program, which provides free basic computer training to senior citizens, out-of-school youth, vendors, and anyone interested to learn how to use the computer.
Since the program began in 2015, several batches have already completed the training, she added.
In 2017, the Bacolod City Public Library was recognized as one of the five best performing public libraries in the country for providing “relevant and innovative services.” (PNA)
