MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA)-- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Region 10 recently conducted the "Enhanced Institutional Development Workshop" aimed at strengthening Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Councils in Misamis Occidental in preparation to be IT-BPM (Information Technology and Business Process Management) industry-ready.

"The workshop is to really help the three local government units (LGUs) in terms of the IT-BPM industry because we have created ICT councils for these LGUs, particularly Ozamiz City, Oroquieta City, and Plaridel municipality," said Engr. Eugene C. Raposala III, provincial officer and OIC Technical Operations Division chief of the DICT-10.

"We really want the jobs from Metro Manila to be outside Metro Manila, congested na si Metro Manila, congested na si Cebu [Metro Manila and Cebu are congested]. We want to bring those jobs, but how can we bring those jobs to the countryside kung dili nato ma-prepare ang [if we cannot prepare the] cities and municipalities?" he added.

The workshop was a venue to prepare the talent for the requirements of the IT BPM industry, such as talent development, infrastructure like airports, power, and internet connectivity, among others. The event, held at the AYA Hotel and Residences in Clarin, brought together a diverse group of 48 participants, representing local government units, academia, industry professionals, and national government agencies. The event emphasized the ICTs' role as catalysts for inclusive growth and job creation.

Engr. Eugene C. Raposala III, provincial officer and OIC Technical Operations Division chief of the DICT-10, highlighted the goal of generating more job opportunities in the countryside and underscored the crucial role of champions in the success of ICT initiatives. "One of our mandates is really the creation of more jobs, and the countryside is really one of our goals," he explained.

Keren Happuch A. Lacadin, deputy focal of DICT-10's ICT Industry Development Bureau, provided details on the different DICT initiatives that aid the ICT sector, while Teresita Leabres, treasurer of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), shared insights into collaborative efforts between NICP and DICT, emphasizing mutual support for the advancement of the ICT industry.

Bonifacio Belen, the workshop's facilitator, delved into fundamental management concepts and paradigms while providing useful guidelines and frameworks tailored to the particular difficulties and opportunities that ICT councils face.

Representatives from Ozamiz City ICT Council, Oroquieta City ICT Council, and the Municipality of Plaridel ICT Council engaged in a dynamic process of scorecard review, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), gap analysis, and implementation plan formulation.

Belen proposed collaboration among the councils, urging them to form a federation or represent the entire province collectively. "This strategic move, he emphasized, would forge a unified and robust scorecard, ensuring a more impactful and cohesive approach to shared objectives," he said.

Belen also led the ICT Council Journey session, which focused on the difficulties, landmarks, and transformative moments of ICT Councils' developmental phases. John Jasper Sanchez, team lead for the Digital Cities Program, presented an ideal roadmap, using the Zamboanga ICT Roadmap as an inspiring example.

By providing insightful analysis, doable strategies, and encouraging teamwork for a future where technology is empowering, the event also aimed to expand Misamis Occidental's digital frontiers. (JMOR/RTP/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)