Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines — May 23, 2024 — With drones soaring and banners unfurled, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 10 officially launched the Regional ICT Summit and Exhibitions (RISE) 10 at the vibrant SM CDO Downtown Sky Garden, heralding a day of bold initiatives and inspired collaboration.

Held on May 23, 2024, at the Event Hall of SM Downtown, Cagayan de Oro City, RISE 10 celebrated significant milestones in the region’s digital transformation journey.  Boasting the most number of ICT councils nationwide at 18, Northern Mindanao showcased its strong commitment to collaborative growth. The summit convened representatives from these councils, along with local and provincial government offices, academic institutions, and key players in the IT-BPM sector.

The summit opened with an inspiring message from Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Klarex Uy, delivered by Councilor Cabanlas. Mayor Uy emphasized the importance of collaboration in propelling the city’s growth and unlocking opportunities for its residents. “Let it be our collective mission to keep up with the latest trends in Information Communications, and Technology to offer golden opportunities to our fellow Filipinos, be globally competitive, and address the economic challenges we are currently facing,” Uy noted.

Atty. Jocelle E. Batapa-Sigue, Undersecretary of ICT Industry Development, took center stage with a captivating keynote address. She highlighted the three pillars of the ICT ecosystem and introduced the powerful formula of MAGIC – Making Academe, Government, and Industry Collaborate. “The role of the ICT council is to create magic by bringing everyone together,” Batapa-Sigue stated, emphasizing the councils’ contributions to attracting the IT-BPM sector and fostering digital job creation in the region.

“True digital transformation begins where it matters most—in the countryside. When we empower our local communities through united efforts of academe, government, and industry, we don’t just close the digital divide—we unlock potential, spark innovation, and build a future that includes everyone. Collaboration in the countryside is not just strategic—it’s where the real magic happens.” – Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue

Following the keynote, John Jasper Sanchez presented on the Digital Cities Program, spotlighting Cagayan de Oro City as a future economic powerhouse. He further shed light on the potential of Ozamiz and Valencia City to emerge as leading digital hubs in Northern Mindanao, complementing the ongoing advancements of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

The heart of the summit pulsed with a series of dynamic panel discussions, thought-provoking dialogues, and targeted breakout sessions tackling critical issues and action items:

Nurturing Future-Ready Talent: RISE 10 Panel Tackles Digital Workforce Development

At the heart of Northern Mindanao’s digital rise was a powerful conversation on cultivating future-ready talent. During the first panel session of the Regional ICT Summit and Exhibitions (RISE 10), key industry leaders and academic visionaries converged to address a critical question: how can the region’s workforce keep pace with the ever-evolving demands of the digital economy?

Moderated by Haidee Enriquez, CEO of MicroSourcing and Chair of the IBPAP Talent Attraction & Development Committee, the session brought together a powerhouse panel: David Padgett of SeeMeCV Pte Ltd PH, Ryan Soh of FilPass, Erlinda Sandig of the Valencia City ICT Council, Arnel Zamayla of Fab Lab Mindanao – MSU-IIT, Josie Sacala of Teleperformance, and Jhonny Paul Lagura of the Iligan ICT Council.

The dialogue underscored a shared reality across sectors: to thrive in an innovation-driven economy, today’s workforce must be adaptable, tech-savvy, and continually learning. From reskilling mid-career professionals to upskilling fresh graduates, panelists emphasized the urgency of dynamic talent development strategies.

The session also spotlighted collaborative models that bring government, academia, and industry into alignment—paving the way for inclusive and sustainable workforce growth across the region.

This session also highlighted the value of reskilling and upskilling the workforce in the industry, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies and innovations, thereby increasing their value within the organization. As the business sector evolves, there is constant pressure on the academic sector to ensure that graduates meet the demands of the fast-paced technological industry.

LGUs Take the Lead: RISE 10 Panel Champions Stronger Business Environments in Mindanao

In the second panel, local government champions stepped into the spotlight during a pivotal panel titled “Strengthening Business Environment: LGUs at the Forefront.” With development strategies aimed at making Northern Mindanao more attractive to investors and industry partners, this session underscored the indispensable role of LGUs in shaping resilient, innovation-friendly ecosystems.

Moderated by Jomari Mercado, IBPAP Consultant for Countryside Development, the panel brought together a dynamic mix of public and private leaders. Panelists included Raelita Legaspi of LGU Cagayan de Oro, Christopher Sabarillo of Concentrix CdO, Jervil Omaga of Vintazk Outsourcing, Michelle Tapia of Goldstone Educational Consulting, Joslyn Canon of Qualfon, and Dr. Romeo Lapeciros, Jr. from the Malaybalay ICT & Innovation Council.

Speakers emphasized that responsive governance, streamlined processes, and proactive support from LGUs are not just enablers—they are prerequisites for industry success. With BPOs and tech-enabled industries expanding beyond Metro Manila, Northern Mindanao’s cities and municipalities are now positioning themselves as agile and investment-ready.

A recurring point of concern: the need to address travel advisories that deter investment and partnership opportunities in Mindanao. Panelists called for unified communications and safety assurances to project a more accurate, promising image of the region’s readiness.

From issuing permits with speed and clarity to cultivating infrastructure that enables remote work and innovation, LGUs were hailed as the backbone of a thriving digital economy.

Bridging Gaps Through Unity: RISE 10 Sparks Synergy for Regional Success

The third panel was a standout session titled “Synergy for Success: Collaborative Initiatives” as it brought together visionary leaders across sectors to champion one idea: when stakeholders join forces, regional transformation accelerates.

Moderated by Jhino Ilano, Assistant Director of DICT’s ICT Industry Development Bureau, the panel featured an impressive lineup of regional change-makers: Dr. Jesus Jardin of the Oro Chamber, Jonathan Jacobo of USTP, Mayor Charlie Buhisan of LGU Magsaysay, Mylah Faye Cariño of NEDA-10 and the Regional Development Council, Stephanie Caragos of the CDO ICT Business Council, and Dr. Enrique Guevarra of Gingoog City.

Their unified message was resounding—collaboration is not optional; it’s foundational. Panelists stressed the need for strategic initiatives that transcend silos and link government, private sector, and academe into a robust ecosystem of shared accountability and vision.

A central highlight was the catalytic role of ICT infrastructure in bridging rural and urban opportunities. Speakers underscored how targeted investment and connectivity—especially through public-private partnerships—can unlock digital inclusion, economic mobility, and innovation in even the most remote communities.

From community-based digital hubs to inter-LGU innovation corridors, the session demonstrated that sustainable progress is not about working harder—but working together.

Merging Innovation with Human-Centered Progress

The fourth major session of RISE 10 ventured into the fast-evolving world of digital innovation with “Exploring the Frontier of Emerging Technologies.” Featuring leading minds from business and tech, the discussion tackled how new tools can elevate productivity without eroding the vital human elements that drive organizational culture and purpose.

Ryan Soh of FilPass, Michelle Tapia of Goldstone Educational Consulting, John Ryan Loyloy of GeoPik, and Alfonso P. Alamban of the OROBEST Innovation Committee shared real-world insights on integrating automation, data analytics, and intelligent systems to streamline operations and eliminate repetitive tasks. But while tech accelerates outcomes, the speakers were firm: empathy, creativity, and critical thinking must remain at the center of the digital workplace.

“Technology should serve people, not replace their humanity,” one panelist affirmed. Each speaker reinforced the idea that innovation must be anchored in purpose—driven not just by efficiency but by long-term, inclusive growth.

Running parallel to the main talk were targeted breakout sessions on improving business environments and strengthening talent pipelines—ensuring that Northern Mindanao’s surge in digital readiness is matched by robust policy support and skilled professionals.

RISE 10 continued to prove that when innovation meets intentional collaboration, transformation isn’t a buzzword—it’s a roadmap.

Startups Take Center Stage at RISE 10: Northern Mindanao’s Innovation Ecosystem Gains Momentum

As the RISE 10 drew to a close, energy and optimism surged through the final panel: “Spotlight on Northern Mindanao Startups.” The session celebrated the region’s rising generation of innovators who are redefining the economic landscape—proving that big ideas don’t just start in the city—they thrive in the countryside too.

Moderated by Dr. Franch Maverick Lorilla of USTP’s Innovation Center, the panel assembled a powerhouse of startup champions and ecosystem enablers: Graham Jimenez of the CDO ICT Business Council, Jess Abear of DTI–X, John Vincent Fiel of WELA School Systems, Keren Happuch Lacadin of DICT–X, Ceej Brasileño of iDEYA – MSU-IIT, and Hanin Laguindab of LGU CDO – ORO TIPC.

Panelists painted a vibrant picture of a startup scene gaining critical mass—with founders, government agencies, schools, and tech hubs joining hands to nurture entrepreneurship across Northern Mindanao. They emphasized that access to resources, mentorship, and policy support is steadily shifting the local mindset from job-seeking to job-creating.

The discussion also emphasized the impact of angel investors and enabling institutions in supporting early-stage ventures, particularly those solving local problems with scalable solutions. From edtech and govtech to community-led innovation, the panel pointed to a future where countryside startups play a decisive role in the broader digital economy.

The takeaway was clear: when startups in the region are empowered, they don’t just grow businesses—they ignite ecosystems.

Wrapping the day of talks, Annamie Gamay of Qualfon expressed the company’s commitment to providing a 360-degree all-inclusive mission as they open their branch in Cagayan de Oro City that would generate thousands of job opportunities and make a valuable impact on the economic activity in Northern Mindanao.

The event concluded with remarks from the Regional Director of DICT 10, Sittie Rahma V. Alawi affirmed the department’s commitment to advancing the digital ecosystem in Northern Mindanao. “The future is promising, and the vision of a digitally empowered Philippines is within our reach. Let’s continue to champion ICT as a catalyst for development, ensuring that no region is left behind,” Alawi said.

Adding a unique touch, Datu Waway Saway and the Talaandig Republic Band serenaded attendees throughout the summit, creating a harmonious blend of culture and digital advancement.

The success of RISE 10 was made possible through the steadfast support of its valued partners. At the forefront were the City of Cagayan de Oro, Qualfon, and the Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council, who served as official event partners and played a pivotal role in bringing together key stakeholders from across the region.

A host of dedicated sponsors also fueled the summit’s momentum. These included the Provincial Government Office of Misamis Oriental, Parasat, the Office of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, PLDT, and Teleperformance, along with the City Governments of Gingoog, Valencia, and Malaybalay, and the Municipality of Initao. Their contributions underscored a shared commitment to advancing digital transformation across Northern Mindanao.

Finally, strong media coverage was ensured by a coalition of media partners, including the Philippine Information Agency Region 10, Brigada News, iFM, GMA, Strong Radio, and the Public Information Office of Misamis Oriental—amplifying the summit’s message to communities near and far.

This article is taken from RISE 10 Report which was reviewed by DICT 10 – Regional Director Sittie Rahma V. Alawi and written by Acmilah M. Macabuat, Jamalicah A. Nagamora, Mohammad Ali B. Ibrahim and Elezah May S. Cabahit with Design and Layout by Angelica Rose Dael, Ian Nico Caulin, Jason Llanes and Reyson Palacios