The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through the Office of the Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development (OUIID) Jocelle Batapa-Sigue spearheaded Regional ICT Summits and Exhibitions (RISE) program, now transitioning into RISE PH: Collaboration for Regional Innovation and Strategic Ecosystem Development, aims to lead the next wave of inclusive, ecosystem-driven digital transformation across the archipelago.
Supported by former Senator Sonny Angara’s Tatak Pinoy advocacy and former DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, RISE has become a milestone in the Philippines’ digital transformation journey. RISE has been able to bring together more than 3,500 stakeholders at all regional summits and thus has set new standards for digital ecosystem development in the Philippines.
RISE has been implemented strategically across four major geographic clusters: Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and has shown unprecedented success in facilitating cross sector collaboration and knowledge sharing.
A National Milestone in Regional ICT Development
Since its launch, RISE has become the country’s most extensive and inclusive digital ecosystem initiative. Designed as a multi-stakeholder collaboration between DICT and regional partners, RISE strategically engaged over 3,513 stakeholders across 16 regional summits in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Key accomplishments include:
- 3,513 total participants across 16 summits
- Average of 219 attendees per event
- 20,000+ potential jobs and digital opportunities generated
- 30+ policy recommendations gathered from grassroots discussions
- Cross-sector linkages and region-specific ICT councils activated
“RISE was never just a program—it is a platform, a process, and now a movement. RISE PH reflects the energy of local ecosystems and their ability to lead our national digital ambitions from the ground up,” said Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, the visionary behind the program.
Transforming Regional Landscapes: From Assessment to Action
RISE was designed around a dynamic 3-phase methodology to ensure depth and adaptability:
- Regional Assessment – Mapping digital maturity and local ecosystem strengths
- Summit Implementation – Conducting multi-sectoral summits in every region
- Post-Summit Action – Formation of working groups, quick-win projects, and impact tracking
The program’s flexibility enabled responsiveness to varying levels of digital maturity while maintaining programmatic consistency and alignment with national goals.
What the Data Tells Us: Workforce, Talent, and Business Ecosystems
🔹 Workforce Competency
A national-level assessment revealed that:
- Only 35% of the workforce self-reported satisfactory-to-high digital competency
- 45% fell in the moderate-to-low competency range
- A concerning 20% were unable to self-assess
Top barriers include:
- Skills mismatch between education and industry (68%)
- Limited advanced training resources (62%)
- Infrastructure and connectivity issues (55%)
- High turnover rates (42%)
- Funding constraints (38%)
RISE’s intervention: the creation of industry-academia partnerships, structured training programs, and regional workforce roadmaps.
Talent Development
While 75% of regions had training programs, only 55% showed effective results. RISE has:
- Enabled dialogue platforms across regions
- Facilitated shared learning and mentorship models
- Strengthened curriculum-industry alignment
- Promoted digital literacy beyond urban centers
Business Environment
RISE summits uncovered a digital business environment full of contrast:
- Strengths: strong government support (65%), IT-BPM presence (45%), and educational linkages (40%)
- Challenges: infrastructure gaps (78%), funding limitations (65%), regulatory complexity (55%), talent retention (52%)
The program supported localized digital transformation roadmaps, cross-sector policy discussions, and incubation of innovation hubs.
Geographic Insights and Sectoral Balance
- Northern Luzon: Pioneered the first ICT council development plan; Baguio launched its Innovation Hub.
- Southern Luzon: CALABARZON led in LGU participation, while Bicol and MIMAROPA showed strong grassroots momentum.
- Visayas: Balanced stakeholder participation and gender representation, with Dumaguete showing 31.7% private sector presence.
- Mindanao: Noteworthy private sector engagement in Davao and Northern Mindanao; Zamboanga Peninsula drew 400 participants—the largest turnout of the program.
Stakeholder composition across regions:
- Public sector: 40–50%
- Private sector: 28–30%
- Academia: 10–23%
- National agencies and others: 13–19%
The Path Forward: RISE PH
Now rebranded as RISE PH, the initiative moves beyond summits to become a long-term digital movement. It aims to create interoperable innovation ecosystems, ensure connectivity equity, and support regionally led digital policies.
RISE PH Commitments:
- Collaborative Innovation – Cross-regional mentoring, shared toolkits, and best practice exchange
- Ecosystem Sustainability – Active ICT councils, regional digital roadmaps, public-private-academic alliances
- Talent Development – Regional training centers, inclusive digital literacy programs, skills-based scholarships
- Infrastructure and Connectivity – Joint investment planning, broadband rollout, regional cloud hubs
A National Call to Action
“This is our shared future to build. Let RISE PH be the platform where local dreams meet national direction, where each island becomes a lighthouse for digital excellence,” emphasized Usec. Batapa-Sigue.
RISE PH is calling on LGUs, ICT councils, universities, businesses, and innovators to commit to this journey of sustained digital empowerment and equitable innovation.
📥 Download the full RISE PH Report: [RISEPH]
Jocelle Batapa Sigue 
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