The Cadiz City government yesterday hosted the Digital Careers Expo 2023 of the Department of Information, Communications and Technology (DICT).
Held at Cadiz City Arena, the activity was aimed at inculcating in the minds of youth that digitalization is a new way of thinking. Themed: “Accelerating global digital opportunities for Filipino talents” it gathered hundreds of senior high school and college students from the localities of Cadiz, Sagay, and Manapla (CaSaMa) in the 2nd District of Negros Occidental.
Leading the speakers and moderators was Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development, Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue.
In her speech, Batapa-Sigue stressed that digital age is now wiring everything. Thus the new generation must dwell on creative mindset and explore lots of opportunities amidst digitalization, she added.
In the digital careers expo, she stressed the need for students to learn the future skills in artificial intelligence (AI), special intelligence (SI), games development and computational thinking.
“Too, they must have to develop the skill of learning how to learn,” Batapa Sigue said.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. thanked Batapa-Sigue for choosing the 2nd District, particularly Cadiz, for the “exciting” event.
Escalante hailed Batapa-Sigue as an “architect” of digital infrastructure in Negros Occidental during the incumbency of the late Gov. Alfredo Maranon, Jr.
Escalante specifically cited Batapa-Sigue as the one who enticed Gov. Maranon to put up the Negros’ First Cyber Center at the Paglaum area in Libertad, Bacolod City.
Escalante said, “When this opportunity (digital career expo) was presented to us, we never refused.”
“I know this will lead our students to make a (better) choice to a demanding job in the world of digitalization.”
Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Maranon III said the event will drive everyone to exciting possibilities in the digital world.
“With this, we are uncovering path to a dynamic future,” the solon added. “Truly this is an exciting avenue for success and community growth.”
For his part, Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said, “This is a step forward into the world of digital opportunities and innovations.”
Meanwhile, Manapla Mayor Manolet Escalante III said he was grateful that Manaplahanons were included in the digital careers expo.
He added that Manapla will start embracing digitalization “because this is now the trend.”
Amid digitalization, Batapa-Sigue still reminded the youth not to forget human connection.
“Because digitalization,” she stressed, “is not just about internet or connectivity.” Rather, she emphasized, it dwells on human connection highlighted by digital ideas.
VICTORIAS CITY NEXT
Over 27 academic and e-commerce institutions will convene for the Digital Careers Expo 2023 of the Third District Negros Occidental on September 4, hosted by the Victorias City government.
The Digital Careers Expo is inclusive of various opportunities for growth and development in the digital industry.
Participants are to learn modern insights from industries such as the IT-BPM, digital creatives, Healthcare Information Management (HIM), and prospects of the gig economy and online digital work.
The Digital Careers Expo is jointly organized by the Office of the Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development (OUIID), the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), DICT Negros Occidental, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Occidental.
This is in collaboration with the Office of the Third District Representative Hon. Jose Francisco Benitez, the Office of Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, and the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) and partners.
With Usec. Batapa-Sigue, Cong. Kiko, and Mayor Javi as key movers of the event, the Metro Third Expo will be geared towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for the Third District of Negros Occidental through extensive immersion in the latest trends and technologies in the industry.
It will be held at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a statement from the Victorias City Public Information Office.*
