The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), the umbrella organization of information and communications technology (ICT) Councils across the country, and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) will jointly launch the digitalcitiesPH during the 9th NICP ICT Summit on November 16 to 17 in the city of Cagayan de Oro.
IMAGE FROM PIXABAY.COM
The digitalcitiesPH Program will be the new brand name of the current Next Wave Cities Initiative, a collaborative advocacy program of DICT with IBPAP and NICP. The Program focuses on the development of ICT-enabled hubs that will serve as business and innovation centers and investment destinations outside Metro Manila, thus creating economic opportunities in the countryside. The program aims to spur inclusive growth and economic development in the country.
digitalcitiesPH is anchored upon achieving goals based on the IT-BPM Roadmap and Tholons 100 Services Globalization Index. Recently, the new Tholons Index introduced new assessment elements focusing on digital transformation, innovation and digital startup ecosystem in cities. In the 2017 Tholons Global Ranking, five cities in the Philippines made it to the Top 100 Super Cities namely, Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
With the shared aspiration of bringing digital opportunities to the countryside and further improving the country’s economy, the DICT, NICP and IBPAP welcome the challenge of taking the Next Wave Cities Initiative to the next level by re-branding it to digitalcitiesPH Program.
“The digital landscape is fast changing. We see it as an opportunity to level up our programs that will ensure our country’s global competitiveness. We will continue to capacitate and empower every city through ICT to push our country forward,” shares Undersecretary Monchito B. Ibrahim.
The digitalcitiesPH launch will not only introduce the program to every city but will give particular focus on gathering key champions in the Philippine IT-BPM Industry, Startup community and the innovation sector, gearing them towards an inclusive and innovative Digital Philippines.
The event brings together about 700 stakeholders and experts from public and private sectors to share industry trends, developments, best practices, and identify challenges and ways to generate new investments, achieve digital transformation, spur innovations and create jobs especially in the countryside.
