PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The P150-million Regional Innovation Training Center (RITC) in Palawan aims to make the local agri-tourism industry more technology-dependent to keep up with the fourth industrial revolution, TESDA says.
Provincial Director Gerardo Mercado of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) observed that only three affiliated institutions are offering information and communication technology (ICT)-related programs in Palawan. It is one of the challenges in producing skilled workers to fill the needed manpower in the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industries.
“Sa ngayon, ang ginagamit natin na technology ay hindi pa natin masasabi na nagko-comply sa fourth industrial revolution—dapat ito ay may intended na technology na diyan na gumagamit ng ICT. Ngayon, ang ating ini-implement na existing program natin, medyo di pa ganoon kataas ang antas ng paggamit ng teknolohiya sa IT. Kaya yon ang tutugunan ng innovation center,” he said.
The innovation center will serve as an experimental and research hub for students of technical-vocational education and training (TVET) to develop and process products. As it focuses on agri-tourism, TESDA envisions RITC elevating the quality of graduates through upscaling their skills.
The technology will also be applied to modernizing the agriculture and tourism industries, such as through the use of artificial intelligence.
“Para masabi natin na makaagapay siya sa fourth industrial revolution, dapat may mga technology na rin ng ICT. Halimbawa gagamit na ng artificial intelligence sa hotels sa log ng visitors. Through AI, madi-determine na ilan possible na guests ang pupunta sa Palawan. Sa agri naman, pwedeng kontrolin ang temperature, moisture content,” he said.
TESDA Palawan is now processing requirements for documents and permits and will soon conduct the groundbreaking of the project. It is expected to be constructed within a year at the Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trades (PPSAT).
The project is funded through the grant awarded by USAID to the Philippines after identifying priority areas for the establishment of innovation centers in the country. (RPG/PIA MIMAROPA - Palawan)
