Cyber Forum to honor FVR

DAGUPAN CITY — Former President Fidel Ramos will receive a special award from information technology (IT) leaders in Northern Luzon for his contributions to making cyber technology a key to national growth.

Councilor Vladimir Mata, one of the organizers of the Grand Cyber Forum 2000, a five-day IT convention/exhibition here on March 12-17, said the former president will join President Arroyo, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the opening day of the forum at the People’s Astrodome here.

Last week, Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim and Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani met with Mata and other forum organizers led by Vernon Buado, president of the federation of cooperatives in Region 1, to finalize hosting requirements.

Buado said some 3,000 business, education and community leaders in Regions 1, 2 and 3 are expected to participate in the convention.

About 100,000 computer users and Internet aficionados are also expected to view and purchase IT exhibits at the convention site.

Also invited to the forum’s opening are Senators Loren Legarda and Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas, Undersecretary Alipio Fernandez Jr., League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Ramon Guico Jr. and Philippine Internet Commerce Society president Janette Torral.

Besides De Venecia, Pangasinan’s five other congressmen – Art Celeste, Amado Espino, Gener Tulagan, Mark Cojuangco and Conrad Estrella III – will co-host the convention.

Buado said the products and websites of different small and medium enterprises and cooperatives in Region 1 and 2 and the Cordilleras will be showcased.

Free Internet trainings for visitors, a regional inter-collegiate website development contest, an inter-high school computer and cyber quiz shows, a regional convention dubbed "The E-Commerce Convention," and an awards presentation are among the activities lined up during the forum.