MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --Bangsamoro Information Communication Technology Office Executive Director II Jonathan Mantikayan and BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun led the launching of the first Information Communication (ICT) Month dubbed "Spark, Strengthen, Sustain: Advancing the Bangsamoro Digital Agenda" on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

In line with the National Celebration, the event will take place throughout June with programs prepared by BICTO.

Included in the programs are an ICT summit, training, webinars, data analysis, and combined programs with academe, film entries, and exhibits, among others.

“Umpisa pa lang, nagtatrabaho na tayo para ma-achieve natin at tinitingnan din natin yung mga[from the beginning, we have been working to achieve and we are also looking at the] best practices and our goal,” Mantikayan said.

Accordingly, the BARMM government's goals and plans would be laid forth in the roadmap, which would demonstrate the region's resolve and commitment to establishing a dynamic, accessible, and world-class ICT industry.

"Dito sa roadmap na ito, tinitingnan natin kung ano ba yung mga existing ICT infrastructures at kung ano ba ang plano ng different ministries and agencies, iyan po ay mailagay at ma-integrate natin [here in this roadmap, we look at the existing ICT infrastructures and the plans of the different ministries and agencies, that we can put and integrate]," he further said.

He further stated that the BICTO is ready and willing to train ICT personnel in various ministries and organizations.

The ICT, according to Pendatun, plays a critical role in the Bangsamoro Government's development and enhancement of the digital agenda in the whole region.

“The ICT, IT has and will always be one of the top priorities of the Bangsamoro government,” said Pendatun.

Meanwhile, participants from BARMM's various ministries and agencies, as well as representatives from academia, the League of Bangsamoro Organization and Local Government Units attended a 3-day development of the Bangsamoro ICT Road Map conducted from May 30 to June 1. (BIO)