Curriculum Vitae: Jocelle Batapa-Sigue

ADVANCED LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE

Highly qualified executive leader and manager with over 26 years of experience in leading teams, companies, institutions and large organizations with proven ability to achieve targets and deliverables according to the mission and strategies of these entities. Possesses the leadership ability to lead stakeholders in creating shared vision and agenda to reach goals. Adept in legal knowledge and office management as a lawyer and senior law firm partner for 20 years. Possesses excellent team management and communications skills as an academic professor for 21 years, and national organization leader for various organizations for over 16 years. Passionate about the growth of jobs and investments especially in the countryside as multi-awarded champion for ICT and innovation.

PROFESSIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE

A combination of practice legal profession in corporate and political setting, exposure and actual immersion in policy – making procedures with a strong foundation in senior management skills, academic expertise and public and media relations

CURRENT AFFILIATIONS/POSITIONS:

• Senior Partner, Batapa-Sigue and Sigue Law Offices (2004 to Present)
• Law Professor for Legal Ethics, Advanced Legal Writing and Legal Research, University of St. La Salle (USLS) – Bacolod (1998 to Present)
• Go Negosyo Coach and Level 2 and 3 Mentor for Digitalization and Business Law under the Philippine Center For Entrepreneurship
• Consultant for Digital Transformation at the Office of Senator Juan Edgardo Angara (September 1, 2019 up to present)
• Founder, Design Thinking Factory
• Founder, Philippine ICT Innovation Network
• Founder, Global Barter Communities and Bacolod Barter Community (May 8, 2020)
• Supervising Fellow for Design Thinking and Digital Transformation, Development Academy (DAP) Graduate School of Public Management
• Columnist, Disruptive Mode, Sunstar Bacolod

PREVIOUS AFFILIATIONS/POSITIONS:

• 9 Years as City Councilor of Bacolod from 2004 to 2007, 2007 to 2010, and 2013 to 2016
• Former In-House Counsel, Legal Department, Victorias Milling Company, Inc. (1999 to 2001)
• Professor, College of Business and Accountancy, USLS – Bacolod (1999 – 2007)
• Professor, College of Education, University of St. La Salle – Bacolod (1999 – 2004)
• Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R) 2006-2007
• Former Reporter/News Writer, ABS-CBN TV 4 (1993 – 1997)
• Former Chief, News Desk, GMA TV 10 (1991-1993)
• Former Reporter/News Writer, Negros Daily Bulletin, Western Visayas Daily Informer (1993 to 1997)
• Former Anchorwoman, Pulso sa Aksyon Radyo, DYEZ Bacolod, 2004 to 2010
• Former TV Host, The She Factor and JOBS on TV aired at Sunshine Channel TV 14 Bacolod (2006-2010)

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

A strong sense of advocacy and commitment towards social issues involving women and children and the advancement of jobs and opportunities especially in the countryside starting from college as university student president and campus journalist. Equipped with advanced written and oral communication and leadership skills.

• Director, The Outstanding Women in The Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation, Inc. 2021-2023
• President and Co-Founder, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Inc. 2010-2012
• Trustee, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Inc. 2012-2017
• Vice President, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Inc. 2018
• Former Chair and Founder, and current Executive Director, Bacolod – Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), Inc. (2008 to Present)
• Vice President, Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocates Society (ATLAS), Inc. 2012 to Present
• President, Philippine ICT Innovation Network, Ink. 2013 to Present
• Board Member, Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Inc. 2013-2016
• Council Vice President, Bacolod Girl Scout Council 2012-2015
• Chief Consultant, Negros Occidental ICT Investments Program (2011-2013)
• Chair, NICP eGOV Awards 2012-2017 (Excellence in Governance through ICT)
• Division D Governor, Toastmasters International 2002 (Member of TM since 1993 with the current norm of:
  • Advanced Communicator Gold – Toastmasters International
  • Advanced Leader Bronze – Toastmasters International
• Chair, Bacolod City Information Technology (IT) Focus Team 2005-2007
• President, Supreme Student Council (University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos) SY 1991-1992
• Opinion Editor, The Tolentine Star of (University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos) SY 1992-1993

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Has developed a sense of citizenship and responsibility to empower sectors in developing strategies to create jobs and driving investments especially in the countryside to achieve inclusive growth. Has been exposed to international avenues for learning innovation and new ideas for purposes of iteration and replication. Served as an inspiration to many stakeholders in various fields

• 2020 ITU WSIS Best Practice by Civil Society Organization: Global Barter Communities
• 2016 The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Awardee for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Philippines
• 2013 Philippine Individual ICT Contributor of the Year Awarded by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and IT-Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)
• 2012 Finalist, Individual ICT Contributor Awards Awarded by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and IT-Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)
• Top Ten Outstanding Young Leaders for 2009 chosen by the Asia Society Foundation under its Philippines 21 program and represented the Philippines in Malaysia in the Asia-Pacific Global Forum for Young Leaders
• Recipient of Go Negosyo – Best Government Support for Business in 2007 by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as Recipient as Proponent & Chair of the Bacolod Information Technology (IT) Focus Team adjudged as
• Soroptimist International – Bacolod 2007 “Making A Difference in Women” Awardee 
• Top 20 finalists in the Search for the 2007 Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP)
• 2008 Outstanding Alumna in Public Service Awardee, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Nergos Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R)
• 2002 National Champion in Evaluation Speech during the Philippine Toastmasters District Convention
• 1993 Best Debater during the Inter-Collegiate Debate Series conducted by the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Education Association (NOPSSCEA)

FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURES

Highly exposed to international environments for growth and learning along with other leaders all over the world. Has been trained extensively for ICT investments promotions both local and national level

• 2018 AVPN-BMW Foundation Policy Leadership Fellow, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), Singapore
• 2017 Guest of Honor and Resource Speaker, 1^st BPO Guatemala Conference, Guatemala City and Key Resources Speaker for Guatemala Cities Workshop
• 2017 Philippine Representative to the Korean Innopolis Science and Technology Park Management Course, Daejeon, South Korea
• 2017 MAGIC Cooperator for Corporate Innovation, Cyberjaya, Malayasia
• 2017 Resource Speaker in the 7^th Confluence Conference in Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• 2014 Member of the Philippine All-Women Trade Mission to Japan for the Yokohama Women Festival and Exposure to Various ICT companies
• 2015 Key Resource Speaker, “Making Strides, Advancing Women in Leadership” Global Networks Forum, Miami, Florida, US organized by Eisenhower Fellowship and German Marshall Fund, Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, and Harvard Loeb
• 2014 Haggai Institute Alumna, Maui, Hawaii, USA
• 2012 Eisenhower Fellow of the Philippines in the Eisenhower Fellowships Multi-Nation Program (Fellowship focused on ICT, ICT Startups, Animation and Game Development and Health Care Information Management)
• Aspen Fellow, Aspen Leadership Institute, Aspen, Colorado, USA May 2012
• 2010 Asia Society Trade Mission to Taipei, Taiwan hosted by MOFA, Taiwan
• Top 21 Fellows for the UNDP Philippine Leadership Course for Young Leaders (PYLG) in Governance for Visayas – Mindanao Cluster  in 2008 under the Asia Young Leaders in Governance (AYLG) Program

OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Possess the ability to work beyond what is compliant to what is exceedingly possible in order to achieve growth targets. Skillful in bringing all stakeholders together for  a shared vision and developing roadmaps with concrete timelines and success indicators.

• Proponent, Excellence in Governance Through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or eGOV Awards under the NICP (2012 to present)

• Proponent & Chair of the Bacolod Information Technology (IT) Focus Team adjudged as Go Negosyo – Best Government Support for Business in 2007 by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship
• Proponent of the Alternative Skills Program for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) – a project given the Award of Excellence for implementation for Region VI under the Philippine Action Programme to Protect Working Children and Combat and Eliminate Child Labour of International Labor Organization – International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC)
• Proponent of the Bacolod IT Investment Program adjudged as the Best Public Sector Practice in Region VI – LGU Category in 2006 by NEDA and RDC VI
• Instrumental in having Bacolod included as one of the Next Wave Cities in the Outsourcing and Off-shoring Industry of the Philippines (5^th Place in 2009 and 3^rd Place in 2010) and now Center of Excellence for ICT-BPM in the Philippines
• Instrumental in having Bacolod included as the No. 100 City in the world ranked by Tholons International as among the Top 100 Cities in the World for Outsourcing for 2010 to 2017
• Proponent, Technology Business Incubation Center (TBIC) as the Negros First CyberCentre

 AFFILIATIONS AND ADVOCACIES

Equipped with skills developed over long years of immersion and practice as a federalist, media person, environmentalist, journalist, resources speaker for various organizations

• Founding Member, Centro Federal – Bacolod in University of St. La Salle since 2000
• Resource speakers for Capacity Development Workshops in Creating ICT Councils organized by NICP and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Formerly CICT since 2016
• Host, JOBS on TV over Sunshine Channel 14 (2007 to 2010)
• Host, Pulso sa Aksyon Radyo DYEZ Aksyon Radyo (2004 -2010)
• Columnist, The Legal Perspective, Negros Weekly (2004 to 2010)
• Host, The SHE Factor aired through Sunshine Channel 14 (2007 – 2009)

• Head, Women and Children’s Legal Desk, Law Center, USLS College of Law
• Volunteer Counsel for Bacolod Women’s Center, DAWN Foundation, Inc., Holy Family  Home, Kapisanan Nang Mga Brodkasters Nang Pilipinas (KBP)-Negros Occidental Chapter and Negros Press Club
• Professional Resource Speaker, RA 7877, RA 9262, RA 7610, RA 8353, RA 8354, RA 9344 and other laws on women and children
• Convenor, Earth Day (since 2007) – Bacolod and Negros Occidental
• Advocate, Philippine Climate-Friendly Cities Project (electric jeeps) – GRIPP
• Chair, Bacolod Sanggunian Committees on Women and Gender, Communications & Energy
• Chair, Bacolod City Gender and Development (GAD) Council 2004-2007, 2007-2010

POLICY INNOVATION WORK

Immersed and trained in legislative work and dynamics as a policy maker both in the local and national level. She has served as resource speaker and member of House and Senate TWGs on the Creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Bill and in the Senate TWG for the Ease of Doing Business Bill of 2018. As a city councilor for 9 years in, she has crafted, authored and led the legislation of major ordinances as follows:

1. Creation of Bacolod Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) and TIP Help Desks in Seaports
2. Annual Gawad Kooperatiba Awards and Support to Cooperatives
3. Laying the Procedures for SP Endorsement to PEZA of ICT Parks , Buildings, Tourism Development Zones and Economic Zones
4. Celebration of April 22 as Earth Day in Bacolod City
5. Protection and Barangay Registration of Household/Domestic Workers
6. The Gender and Development (GAD) Code of Bacolod City
7. Protection of Watershed Areas, Establishing Watershed Development and Water Conservation Programs for Bacolod City
8. Institutionalization of Programs for Informal Sector Workers and Creating the Informal Sector Workers of Bacolod
9. Observance of June 13 – 19 as Social Work Week and Promotion of Social Work
10. Establishing the Fr. Mauricio Ferrero, OAR Street Ordinance
11. Creation of Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Council & Development of ICT Industry (as Co-Author of Councilor Lyndon Cana)
12. Ordinance Implementing the Law Against Worst Forms of Child Labor and Developing Strategies to Lessen Child Labor in Bacolod such as the Intensive Implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program
13. Observance of December 1 – 7 as Non-Government Organization-People’s Organizations (NGO-PO) Week
14. Prevention of Sexually-Transmitted Infections (STI), Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) & Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) & Creation of Bacolod Local STI/HIV/AIDS Council
15. Reduction of Police Clearance Fees for Purposes of Voter’s Registration
16. Declaration of Bacolod as Organic City (Anti-GMO Ordinance)
17. Procedures for the Development of Medical Tourism Parks and Retirement Villages
18. Creation of the Bacolod Technology and Livelihood Development Center
19. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Measures Ordinance and Implementation of Strategies to Mitigate Pollution for Transport, Business and and Other Sectors
20. Comprehensive Health and Wellness Ordinance and Promotion of Medical Tourism
21. Promotion and Strengthening of the City of Bacolod as a Choice Destination for National and International Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)
22. Establishing the Bacolod City Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Training Scholarships for Contact Centers, Software Development, Game Development, Animation and other IT Courses
23. Declaring February of Every Year as Bacolod Arts Month (BAM)
24. Stronger Penalties for Vandalism in Bacolod City and Strategies to Enjoin Schools in the Fight Against Vandalism
25. Regulation of the Commercial Sale of Spray Paint Cans in Bacolod
26. Prescribing Mechanics of the Masskara Festival Celebration and setting the Cultural standards of the Festival, and Prescribing Procedures for Accountability of Third Party Organizers
27. Institutionalizing a Tourism Homestay Program for Bacolod City and Setting Global Standards for Homestay facilities in Bacolod
28. Ensuring Effective Implementation of Food Safety Standards in Bacolod City and the Implementing Rules and Regulations
29. Creating the Bacolod Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council
30. Establishing the Bacolod Business Promotions and Investments Week and Setting the Bacolod Trade Expo identifying Key Promotion Areas: Agriculture, Food and related industries, Gifts, Housewares, Decors and Other Craft-Based Industries, Manufacturing and other Industrial Business, Information and Communications Technology and Other Technology-Based Industries Tourism, Hospitality, Health and Wellness and Other Service Industries
31. Establishing the Bacolod City Ordinance Awareness Week
32. Establishing Guidelines for the Selection of the  Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer (LEIPO)

As policy consultant for Digital Transformation at the Office of Senator Sonny Angara, she researched and drafted the following pending bills:

Senate Bill No. 1469 – The National Digital Careers Bill

Senate Bill No. 1470 – The National Digital Transformation Bill With the following components:

• Digital Competence Framework for Citizens
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Competency Framework for Teachers
• Philippine Digital Strategy
• National Digital Skills Development
• Digital Inclusion
• Digital Libraries and Learning Hubs
• Digital Entrepreneurship
• Digital Careers and Jobs
• Digital Civil Service
• National Digital Transformation Council

Senate Bill No. 1943 – Strengthening the Digital Transformation Capacity of all Local Government Units, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7160 Otherwise Known as the Local Government Code Of 1991

Senate Bill No. 1943 – Establishing Guidelines and Incentives for the Development of Science and Technology Parks (STPS) in the Philippines

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Laws, 1997 (Pioneer Batch) University of St. La Salle (USLS) Bacolod City (June 1993 to March 1997)
• Passed the 1997 Bar Examinations and was admitted to the Bar on May 7, 1998
• Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science, 1993 University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Bacolod City (June 1990 to March 1993)