Over 600 participants gathered at the first-ever Digital Careers Expo (DCE) in Tacurong City, hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Held on August 20, 2024, at the Tacurong City Cultural and Sports Center in Sultan Kudarat, this groundbreaking tech event marked a significant milestone for the city’s digital development.

DICT Region 12 headed by Regional Director Ibrahim Guiapar spearheaded the event together with the local government of Tacurong City and the local ICT council, with guidance from DICT’s Office of the Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development (OUIID) and ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), following the theme, “Navigating the Digital Frontier: Connecting Talent with Technology.”

DICT Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, in her keynote address titled ‘Ensuring a Globally Competitive Filipino Digital Workforce to Drive Digital Careers,’ urged young people to explore and immerse themselves in the wide array of opportunities within the information and communications technology (ICT)-enabled sectors.

The Digital Careers Expo seeks to highlight the vast opportunities available in both local and global markets across various ICT-enabled industries, including the IT-BPM sector, Emerging Technologies, Online Freelancing, and the Creative industries. The event is designed to inspire Filipino talents to pursue and advance their digital careers, enabling them to tap into higher income potentials within these rapidly growing fields.

One of the primary goals of the expo is to provide insights into the current status and emerging trends of ICT-enabled industries in the Philippines and how these sectors position the country within the global economy. By showcasing the diverse career opportunities in these industries, the event aims to demonstrate their potential to drive economic growth in the Philippines, while encouraging more Filipino talents to explore these fields and capitalize on lucrative career prospects.

Additionally, the expo will foster important discussions on sustaining and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Philippine ICT-enabled industries, with a particular focus on driving growth in the countryside. Through these discussions, the expo hopes to ensure that the benefits of a robust digital economy are felt across all regions of the country.

Aside from highlighting various digital career opportunities and trends, DCE also engages with various stakeholders, key players, and industry partners, providing an avenue for them to showcase their products and services in SOCCSKSARGEN and LaMa.

As Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development, Batapa-Sigue referenced latest report on the Rise of Digital Jobs (January 2024) from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which states , that currently (2024), there are 73 million digital jobs globally, according to the World Economic Forum’s report on the rise of digital jobs. Projections indicate that by 2030, three major factors will reshape the landscape of employment. The global working-age population is expected to grow by 6.4%, new roles will increasingly be part of the “remotable” workforce, and many job positions will evolve or diminish in response to technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and broader economic trends. These shifts present new opportunities and challenges for the global digital workforce, particularly in how economies adapt to these changing dynamics.

According to the WEF” report on the rise of digital jobs, the number of digital jobs that can be performed remotely is expected to significantly increase by 2030. The projection shows that roughly 25% more jobs will be remote, bringing the total to approximately 92 million global digital jobs that can be done from anywhere. This trend highlights the growing flexibility of the digital workforce, enabling more individuals to work from any location, further emphasizing the shift towards remote work as a major component of the global economy.

On one hand the Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2028 targets 2.5 million jobs, where the Undersecretary hopes that one million of these jobs will be distributed across all provinces in the Philippines.”

The Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2028 outlines a strategic plan to drive growth and innovation in the country’s Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. By 2028, it aims to create 2.5 million direct jobs, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity by expanding digital career opportunities across the countryside. The roadmap also highlights the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling to ensure Filipino talent remains competitive in the global market.

A key focus of the roadmap is digital transformation, encouraging the IT-BPM sector to adopt advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and data analytics. It also promotes sustainability and resilience, ensuring the sector can adapt to global disruptions while maintaining competitiveness. Regional growth is prioritized, with plans to establish IT-BPM hubs beyond the National Capital Region to promote economic opportunities in other areas.

The roadmap stresses the importance of fostering innovation, supporting startups, and strengthening collaboration between government, private sector, and educational institutions. By focusing on policy support, infrastructure improvements, and promoting investments, the plan aims to solidify the Philippines’ position as a leading player in the global digital economy.

DIGITAL CAREERS EXPO – TACURONG CITY

To highlight the region’s growing strength in ICT, DCE – Tacurong featured four dynamic panel discussions: “Government Support for the Digital Careers Landscape,” “Showcasing Global Opportunities through Emerging Technologies,” “Empowering Filipino Talents through the Digital Creative Industry,” and “Global Market Opportunities in the Online Freelancing Industry.” Each panel brought together experts from both the public and private sectors to discuss pressing ICT concerns, share career insights, and offer valuable advice for those looking to thrive in the evolving digital industry.

These industry leaders not only shared their professional expertise but also addressed the challenges facing the ICT sector and expressed their aspirations for the future, encouraging Filipino talents to seize the growing opportunities in digital careers and emerging technologies.

“The city government recognizes that technology is the future and fully supports the development of ICT,” said Romel Dionela, MPA, Secretary to the Sangguinang Panglungsod of Tacurong City, during the first panel discussion. Dionela highlighted various resolutions backing DICT projects, such as Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4Ed) and Free Wi-Fi, which have been implemented since 2016. However, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done to further improve ICT infrastructure in the city.

“We understand the challenges, apprehensions, and even resistance to change, which is part of human nature. Through this forum, we hope to illuminate these problems, address issues and concerns, and find solutions to some of the perceived shortcomings in ICT,” Dionela added. The panel discussion, moderated by Engr. Sohaymeen Panontongan from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Tacurong, featured insights from two other panelists: Marie Chris Castino, Senior TESDA Specialist from Region 12, and Engr. Hannah Grace Parcon, IIDB focal person.

The session titled “Showcasing Global Opportunities Through Emerging Technologies” underscored the importance of embracing new technologies to drive innovation and economic growth. Panelist Mark Dave Manansala, CEO and Founder of Kave Blocks, shared his personal experience of transitioning from a programmer to an online social media manager, demonstrating the flexibility of digital careers. Alongside him, Ernesto San Jose, CEO of Bapplware Technologies, and moderator Reynald Alpajando, Project Manager of STEP APP TBI, encouraged participants, particularly students, to explore technopreneurship and develop solutions to address global issues. In response to a middle-aged attendee asking about pursuing a career in animation or game development, panelist Aldwin Ayao, COO and Creative Director of Ken’Koi Studio, emphasized that digital careers have no age limit, reaffirming that passion and a willingness to learn are the keys to success.

The final panel on “Global Market Opportunities in Online Freelancing Industry” brought together industry leaders Ruben Licera, Chairman and CEO of LICERA Growth Marketing, Richie Rebamuntan, CEO of WeDoTheTalk, and Michelle Canada, CEO of Crackerjacks VA. They highlighted the immense potential for Filipinos to tap into the freelancing industry globally. Moderator Ronalyn Manuel of Tacurong’s Tourism Office opened the discussion by asking how aspiring digital professionals could connect with mentors and peers. Canada stressed the importance of building a strong network and mentorship, while Rebamuntan encouraged participants to utilize government resources to connect with mentors and enter the freelancing industry. Licera concluded by reminding everyone of the importance of taking action and following through, advising participants to seize opportunities immediately.

“As we gather today, we are not just witnessing the future of work—we are shaping it. Let us embrace the digital future and create a brighter, more connected tomorrow. Abante Tayo, Asenso Tacurong!” said Tacurong City Mayor Joseph Lenchonsito.

The mayor is actively supporting ICT development in Tacurong as a key driver for the city’s future growth. Under his leadership, the city government has expressed full support for ICT initiatives, including the adoption of various digital programs such as the Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4Ed) project and the provision of Free Wi-Fi services in partnership with DICT.

Batapa-Sigue commended the mayor for his show of strong support to promote digital careers, particularly through events like the Digital Careers Expo as proof of his administration’s commitment to creating an ecosystem that supports digital transformation and positions Tacurong as a portal for digital opportunities in the region.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/DICTRegion12

Video at https://www.facebook.com/DICTRegion12/videos/1243908860390587

Photos by Rodgyn Lorzano. Contribution writeups by Edwin Allan Diaz.