As announced
by the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), the recently concluded 13th
Knowledge Exchange Conference (KEC) emphasised that eCentre optimisation and modernisation
of technologies will contribute to improve community development.
The DICT is the
primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity
of the Executive Branch of the government that plans, develops, and promotes
the national ICT development agenda.
The need to optimise
eCentre resources and modern technologies for improving communities was
highlighted during the KEC13 held at the Sison Auditorium, Capitol Complex,
Lingayen, Pangasinan last 17 to 18 April 2018.
DICT
Undersecretary for Management and Operations and Countryside Development Mr Monchito
B. Ibrahim encouraged the stakeholders of Technology for
Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) to
keep revolutionising the program addressing digital divide in the face of
digital disruption.
During his
speech, Mr Ibrahim stressed, “As long as we are observing poverty, the work (of
DICT and Tech4Ed) is not yet over.”
As of March
2018, 2,161 eCentres were established according to Tess Camba, the Mindanao
Cluster 1 Director and Tech4Ed Project Manager. The Tech4Ed platform also added
eHealth and Gender and Development segments.
The topics
discussed were – various Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), responsible
use of social media, online investments, and shared facilities- in line with
the theme of this year’s conference, “Optimizing eCentre Resources and Modern
ICT Affordances for Community Development.”
Progress on
DICT’s main projects like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Electronic Business
Permit and Licencing System (e-BPLS), Tech4ED Project and Rural Impact Sourcing
(RIS) were also shared during the event.
PKI is a set of
hardware, software, policies, personnel and procedures needed to create,
manage, distribute, use, store and revoke digital certificates. It allows users
of public networks like the Internet to privately exchange data securely.
E-PBLS is a
system that offers end-users with innovative features to streamline the
business permit and licencing process, allowing for a swift and more accurate
transaction.
RIS advances
digital literacy and ICT skills training for Filipino talents and freelancers
by providing digital access and informal skills training to the rural
communities. It also aims to increase access to digital markets and business
process outsourcing (BPO) in far-flung areas with high unemployment rate.
The two-day
conference also allowed for technical learning sessions on data analytics and
data privacy. They also conducted eCentre Resources Optimisation during the
event.
DICT OIC
Secretary Eliseo M. Rio Jr. extended his support for the conference through a
video message. He said, “You can be assured that DICT will be all out in
supporting all endeavours that would hasten the progress of ICT in our country.”
An annual
gathering of ICT for Development and Public Internet Access advocates including
Local Chief Executives, Knowledge Managers/Workers and other eCentre
stakeholders in the Philippines, the Knowledge Exchange Conference (KEC) allows
for networking and sharing of best practices on eCentres. Moreover, it also
showcases ICT trends, updates and products.
KEC13 was organised
by the Philippine Community eCentre
Network, Inc. (PhilCeCNet) in collaboration with the DICT and the Province
of Pangasinan.
PhilCeCNet is a non-government organisation and
community of practise composed of the major eCentre stakeholders working
together to ensure responsive, efficient, valuable and sustainable eCentres. It
is the multi-sectoral partner of the DICT in the implementation of the
Philippine Community eCentre Program.