Microsoft launches economic development project in Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - Microsoft Corporation, in partnership with international center for innovation in cities and region--Fundaciòn Metròpoli, have introduced a project in the Visayas patterned after the "Next Cities Lab", a research center with operations capability for design of intelligent territories at the intersection of the physical structures of cities and next-generation digital platforms.

Microsoft Corporation, led by its Asia director for international organizations John Cann, and Fundaciòn Metròpoli president Alfonso Vegara will introduce the project initially to key cities including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and in Bacolod and Iloilo Cities in the coming days.

Despite political issues and leadership transition, the project which will use the six-year old proven methodology of transforming cities and regions, Cann and Vegara expressed confidence that the project will be embraced by LGU executives saying "no one can say no to economic development."

The Visayas Diamond project aims to identify the identity and uniqueness of each city in the Visayas to make an effective and powerful synergy in complementation.

The concept works like the "Mega Cebu" project however, this covers a larger scope of implementation, where a united and stronger regional economic development is pushed.

Each city and city-region is unique. In an international context which is increasingly interconnected and complex, cities and territories are able to provide competitive advantages through full cross-section of economic sectors in a place.

Vegara said the study which will map out the "diamond" or unique advantage or identity of each city will usually take a year,  and recommendation for development will then be turned over to LGU and multi-sectoral organizations or City Forum for implementation.

While the Fundaciòn Metròpoli will be the "brain" of the project, Microsoft on the other hand will take care of the digital connection and technological requirements of cities and regions in order to be globally competitive, and become a an economic power.

According to Cann, for the 21st century cities, it is imperative that they should enroll themselves in the cloud, provide GIs applications, establish efficient data collection and data sharing, and good strategy for disaster response. These are just the few of the first stage digital transformation that will be implemented.

Cann hopes that the project will commence with a formal agreement with cities to move forward early this coming December.

"It’s a marvelous concept about connectivity, at the same time making integration, connectivity and synergy among chief executives that will lead towards better governance and making the principles of 'coopetition'  come alive, " said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Making Visayas a "diamond corridor" can make the region a vital engine and a significant contributor to overall Philippine economic growth, Rama added expressing his interest on the project.

Along with other countries and regions in the world, transformed by this methodology, like Columbia, the Visayas will be a pilot area for implementation.— Ehda M. Dagooc (FREEMAN)