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BCCI gears for 4th MICT congress
by Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City (1 July 2005) -- In line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's priority program on electronic governance, the Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted here recently the regional pre-conference consultations and roadshow in preparation for the forthcoming Mindanao Information and Communications Technology (MICT) Congress come October 23-28, 2005 in General Santos City.

BCCI President Rene Cinco, thru Hospicio Suralta, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Regional Governor for Northeastern Mindanao emphasized the significance of the Congress to Mindanao in the ICT arena. He added that critical issues have been identified to initiate necessary actions that will bolster effort in accelerating an ICT economy in the region. The conference is part of the multi-sectoral endeavor to promote and uplift ICT in Mindanao.

"The aim of the Congress is to strategically position Mindanao as a hub for e-service in the BIMP-EAGA region," Cinco said.

The theme of the congress is "Enabling Mindanao for Digital Opportunities". "The theme concretizes the latest action that needs to be done to promote Mindanao as a hub for e-service in the region," said Cinco.

Now on its 4th year, the MICT aims to explore potentials for ICT collaboration in business. It also seeks to prioritize the integration of IT in basic education.

One of the topics that will be highlighted during the congress is the integration of ICT in basic services of the government making it more efficient and effective in delivering services to the people, which is a top priority of the Arroyo Administration.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), one of the lead agencies in the conduct of MICT, gave an update on the resolutions passed during last year's Mindanao ICT Congress. These include Expansion of Digital Infrastructure in unserved areas; Providing incentives to private sector investments in the industry; Initiation of MICT Task Force for the establishment of a Comprehensive MICT databank; and the Utilization of BIMP-EAGA web site, through the Mindanao private sectors.

Aside from MBC, sponsors of the 4th MICT include the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City Government of General Santos, Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCo), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Region 11. (PIA Caraga)

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