NICP, DOST unveil smarter countryside program

MANILA, Philippines - The ICT BPO industry has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the Philippines in the last several years.  Statistics provided by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) show that from a measly annual revenue of $1.3 billion in 2004, the industry has reached $11 billion by the end of 2011. More importantly, the industry has provided employment to 643,000 individuals in 2011 (from only 101,000 in 2004) and this is projected to reach 1.3 million workers by 2016 generating $50 billion in revenues. For 2012, the total revenue is expected to hit $3.6 billion.

These very promising prospects of the industry were highlighted in the recently concluded 5th NICP Summit at the newly constructed Monochrome Events Center at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. For three days (Nov. 21-23), ICT councils and local government units (LGUs) from the different towns, cities and provinces, national government agencies, representatives of the academe and industry leaders gathered to assess our accomplishments, to share insights, and to find solutions that beset the ICT BPO industry.

In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Sta. Rosa City, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines  (NICP) and the Laguna Industry Network for Knowledge, Innovation and Technology (LINK IT) showcased the global competitiveness of the Philippines through ICT.

In his keynote address read by DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, President Aquino attributed the success of the industry to the increasing investor confidence in the skill and quality of our workforce, and in the renewed optimism of our people and of the world in our government and institutions.

For his part, Montejo said the DOST-ICTO has always believed in multi-stakeholder partnerships, and the coming together of the private sector, academe, civil society, and the local and national governments to harness the enormous potential of ICT. 

Paradigm shift

He views this emerging role of ICT as effecting a paradigm shift from “information societies” to “smart societies.” Smarter societies allow us to be more productive, better conserve and sustain our natural resources, prepare us to adapt to climate change and other environmental challenges better, and ultimately provide a better quality of life for the Filipinos. Together with the NICP as DOST’s principal partner, we will build a Smarter Countryside for a Smarter Philippines.

Sta. Rosa City is an embodiment of this emerging smart society. Mayor Arlene Arcillas, in welcoming the over 300 delegates to the summit, emphasized the importance of forging linkages among the private sector, the academe and the local government in her efforts to build a robust and diverse community in an environment that promotes balanced life and environmental protection.

One of the guest speakers was Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA chief, who talked about the economic implications that the thriving ICT BPO industry can bring to the Philippines. He discussed the agenda on high and inclusive growth which should boost revenue performance, increase infrastructure spending through PPP management and a stronger thrust in the development of SMEs.

The summit also provided a career and industry orientation to give the estimated 1,600 students, teachers and school administrators a better perspective of the opportunities in the ICT BPO industry. With the participation of the various industry organizations led by BPAP, the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Philippine Software Industry Association, GDAP, ACPI and HIMOAP, the summit showcased the various fields of competencies that the academe and industry can jointly develop and promote.

And as the delegates explored the master-planned community of the Ayala-led development in Nuvali, they were awed by the transformation of what was once just barren land and an alternative route to Tagaytay City to a bustling mixed-use commercial, industrial and residential haven. Boasting also of its own wake boarding facility and the presence of some of the country’s top schools and universities, the Nuvali area is truly a symbol of the progressive yet balanced life that Mayor Arcillas envisions for Sta. Rosa.

e-Governance Awards

As a fitting closing activity of the event, the awarding of the First Jesse Robredo Excellence in ICT for Good Governance Awards (e-Governance Awards, for short) was held at the activity tent of the world-renowned theme park in the Philippines, the Enchanted Kingdom. The awards recognized the local government units which have used ICT as a tool to enhance the effectiveness of their service delivery and the well-being of their constituents. Awarded were the Cebu City for the B2B category and Tarlac City for the B2C category. No less than Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito Estregan welcomed the delegates during the dinner socials.

The 5th NICP Summit was truly a rousing success. And this was only possible because of the collective desire of all the delegates and stakeholders of the ICT industry to take advantage of the growth potential that the industry can bring and the high investor confidence in the Philippines.

Now is the time to work together. Now is the time to unite as one people. Through the God-given talents and skills of the Filipinos, we can build this nation and allow inclusive growth to benefit all sectors and all regions of this country.

The challenge is for every ICT council, every academic institution, every LGU and government agency, every entrepreneur and every Filipino to do his or her part in building s Smarter Countryside for a Smarter Philippines.