12/02/2026
Cabadbaran City Library and Information Center: History
The Cabadbaran City Library and Information Center (CCLIC) has a rich history dating back to the early 1990s. Here's a narrative of its development:
Early Years (1990-1992)
The library's journey began with the support of Senator Teofisto Guingona, Jr. who also served as director and chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority and the Mindanao Labor Management Advisory Council, who championed the construction of the library building. Municipal Resolution No. 35-90, signed on April 3, 1990, named the building the Gov. Teofisto Guingona, Sr. Memorial Hall. The following year, Municipal Resolutions No. 40-91 and No. 41-91 were passed, creating positions for a municipal librarian and utility man, as well as a Municipal Library Committee, signed by the late mayor Hon. Abelardo M. Carloto on the same date April 2, 1991. Miss Eloisa Deloso-Jongko became the first library-in-charge, and Rodolfo Gulle Umbaad was appointed as the utility man.
Opening and Growth (1992-2007)
The library opened its doors to the public on August 17, 1992, under the leadership of late Municipal Mayor Rosario M. Amante. The community’s support was instrumental in the success of library opening, with many members donating their valuable book collection. The library's two-story building housed various sections, including the Children Section/Audiovisual Room, Mini Museum, and main reading area. On February 19, 1993, Municipal Resolution No. 37-93 was signed by the late mayor Hon. Rosario M. Amante, applying for affiliation with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) and appropriating P7,500 for newspaper and magazine subscriptions. This affiliation led to yearly support from the NLP, providing library materials such as books, computers, and maps. Later that year, on June 24, 1993, Municipal Ordinance No. 01-93 was signed, prescribing rates for membership fees and rental fees for the Cabadbaran Municipal Library. The library's efforts paid off when it received a Plaque of Recognition as one of the outstanding libraries for 1999 from the National Library during the Philippine Public Libraries Centennial Anniversary celebration on March 9, 2000. The library underwent renovations in November 2001, nine years after its initial affiliation with the NLP.
Challenges and Transition (2007-2012)
After Miss Eloisa D. Jongko's retirement in 2007, the library faced challenges with library-in-charge positions being held by individuals with additional designations. Individuals who were given additional designation were Ms. MaJean M. Chee (Local Civil Registrar) and Mr. Estilito O. De Vera (Community Affairs Officer) up until December 2012. Despite this, the library continued to operate with one (1) regular employee, Administrative Aide I, Ms. Daisy A. Bolambot and plantilla position (non-regular) Ms. Dinah E. Estoque.
The appointment of Alma A. Cusap, the first licensed librarian, on October 16, 2012, marked a significant milestone. Under her leadership, the library collection was organized using the Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDC) and categorized into six groups: General Reference, Filipiniana, Reference/Circulation Books, Children’s Books, Fiction, and Periodicals/Serials. In January 2013, the library came under the City Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (CTCAO), led by Ms. Tiara Julia M. Santos, RN. The library's growth continued with the signing of City Ordinance No. 2013-005 on September 19, 2013, establishing the Cabadbaran City Library Board. The transfer of Ms. Santos to the Department of Tourism- Caraga Region made a comeback of Mr. Estilito O. De Vera, CSE, EnP, as the CTCAO-Designate starting on November 4, 2021, additional responsibility to oversee the City Library as part of the City Tourism Culture and Arts Office.
Modernization and Expansion (2012-Present)
A significant development was the establishment of the Tech4ED Center on September 28, 2016, one of the projects of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Its milestone started when a Letter from City Mayor Hon. Dale B. Corvera expressing his interest of having a Tech4Ed Center in the city to the executive Director of the Information and Communications Technology Office, Quezon City, Mr. Louis Napoleon C. Casambre with a Sanguniang Resolution No. 2015-125 “ A resolution Authorizing the City Mayor Dale B. Corvera to Sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Information and Communications Technology Office and the City Government of Cabadbaran Pertaining to the Establishment of Tech4ED Center signed by City Vice Mayor, Hon. Harris Glen D. Puyot. Then, an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Executive Director, Louis Napoleon C. Casambre of the Information and Communications Technology Office and the City Mayor of Local Government of Cabadbaran, Hon. Dale B. Corvera on February 18, 2015. Witness of the MOU signing were Mindanao Cluster 2 Acting Director II Evamay C. Dela Rosa, MSIT,ITIL, Ms. Beatrice G. Quimson of eSociety and head of the Management Information System (MIS) Office, Information Technology Officer 1, Mr. Joselito L. Sanchez. Finally, CCLIC Tech4ED Center was formally launched on September 28, 2016 under the leadership of City Mayor Hon. Katrina Marie O. Mortola. The library received recognition for its performance, including awards for being a Top Performing Tech4ED Center in Caraga Region and Outstanding Tech4ED Center for the 1st Semester of 2019 and being named a Level 1 Digital Transformation Center (DTC) by the DICT Caraga region.
Services and Achievements
Cabadbaran City Library and Information Center (CCLIC) offers various services, including internet access, book distribution to public schools, and outreach programs. The library's outreach efforts expanded with the distribution 17,759 volumes of Children’s International, Inc. to all public elementary and secondary schools in the city on July 26, 2014 during the opening of the 2014 Charter Day celebration. Internet connectivity was introduced in 2014, starting with Bayantel, Inc., followed by Globe in 2017, and PLDT from 2018 onwards. The library celebrated its Silver Founding Anniversary on August 17, 2017 through a Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Fr. Almado C. Ecarma and followed by a fellowship lunch attended by friends of the library and librarians in the city. CCLIC has since continued to grow, introducing Barangay Reading Centers in 31 barangays in May 2022. As of May 2025, the library has acquired Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred Three (17,303), with some placed in 31 Barangay Reading Centers. Moreover, through its Reading Development Program budget, the library was able to purchase and distribute story books, a set of educational toys, a bookshelf and a mini reading table to 31 Barangay Reading Centers. CCLIC regularly participates in national celebrations, such as Public Library Day and National Book Wee/ Library and Information Services (LIS) Month, with notable activities like storytelling and puppet shows.
Awards and Recognitions
Some notable awards and recognitions received by CCLIC include:
Outstanding Library for 1999 from NLP (March 9, 2000)
Beyond Access Philippines Project Participation (March 16, 2017)
3rd Placer in the Poster Making Contest (March 17, 2017)
Top Performing Tech4ED Centers in Caraga Region (March 5, 2018)
4th Placer in the Poster Making Contest (March 14, 2018)
Outstanding Tech4ED Center for the 1st Semester 2019 (August 28, 2019)
Certificate of Recognition as Level 1 Digital Transformation Center (DTC) by the DICT Caraga region (2024)
Key Milestones:
Affiliation with NLP: February 19, 1993
Renovation: November 2001
First Licensed Librarian: October 16, 2012
Tech4ED Center Establishment: February 18, 2015 (MOU signing) and September 28, 2016 (launching)
Silver Founding Anniversary: August 17, 2017
Barangay Reading Centers: May 2022
Level 1 Digital Transformation Center: December 6, 2024
The library continues to serve the community, with a growing number of visitors each year, mostly high school and college students. Its dedication to providing innovative services and fostering a love for learning has made CCLIC a valuable resource in Cabadbaran City.
