• YASMIN PASCUAL-DORMIDO
Sen. Mark Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, urged entrepreneurs, local governments and the community to ensure that the journey to digitalization is both ecological and equitable.
Villar, the keynote speaker in the 32nd Visayas Business Area Conference (VBAC) in Panglao Island, Bohol Province last week, reminded local, provincial and regional chambers, local government officials, industry stakeholders Philippine Chamber of Commerce, and the academe to consider the far-reaching effects of technological advancements and how these shape sustainable business practices.
He cited the recent declaration of Bohol Island by UNESCO as the first Global Geopark in the Philippines as a proof of how sustainability in technology can harmonize to achieve milestones. Villar pointed out how a geological heritage of international significance can serve local communities by combining conservation of public outreach and sustainable approach to development.
“In these synergies between technology, governance and innovation that we must harness as we journey as a digitized Philippines. The journey must be ecological and equitable. With the richness of our technology, we must not lose sight of our ecology or disregard the fairness of our society. We are welcoming the age of digital technology where business models, societies, economies and governments are constantly reshaped as we ponder over the economic frontiers that define our future. It is clear as daylight that the digital revolution holds unlimited potential. In the national reserves of Bohol we find a microcosm of what we may dream for the entire Philippines. The way technologies collaborate with the natural preservation and sustainable tourism in Bohol should serve as an inspiration to us all,” he added.
The senator also pointed out cybersecurity and data privacy as among the major challenges that need to be addressed decisively as it is a growing concern amid the digital revolution.
“This is where governance comes in. The role of governance goes beyond regulation and checks. It extends to fostering an enabling environment for technology and innovation to flourish. For instance, I am pushing for the Internet Transactions Act which is also one of the priority legislations of the President which is now in the advanced stage of legislation to create a framework for the consumers who engage in digital transactions and give them consumer protection. It is a long overdue bill. There are no clear rules and laws that will protect the consumers who engage in e-commerce.”
On the other hand, Information and Communication Technology Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue told conference attendees that digitalization is not an end but rather, a means.
Batapa-Sigue said she may be part of the DICT but she does not advocate digitalization. Instead, she advocates outcomes and impact in the lives of Filipinos coming from digitalization. “At the end of the day, you ask this question: How [do] all these things change the lives of our citizens? The human connections that we need to counterpart.”
Furthermore, she enjoined all industry players and stakeholders to be part of DICT’s game plan. She invited the local business chambers of Regions VI, VII and VIII of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Visayas to take an active role in being an open partner of the growth in economy.
“I am an advocate of what we call “magic.” Magic is a formula that drives jobs and innovation. It means making [the] academe, government, industry or private sector, collaborate. How many of you as business leaders of your cities and regions have reached out to both government and Academe and all the stakeholders, realizing the business sector cannot do it alone? It has to be a whole-of-city, a whole-of-country, a whole-of- government approach. Everyone needs to harness and consolidate all the stakeholders. That’s the game plan in a nutshell. We’re here to connect,” she added.
Frank Carbon, chairperson of the 32nd VBAC, in his speech, said that one of the objectives of the conference was to demonstrate the importance and the need for the business sector to work together with the national and local government officials. Business alone, we cannot do this. Government alone, it will be very, very difficult. But if we work together we can move forward fast,” said Carbon.
The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the STI West Negros University that aims to strengthen the partnership and collaboration of the business and education sectors in educating and molding future professionals who are equipped with skills that the industries need.
Atty. Julie Ann Carbon, director and corporate secretary of the MBCCI, mentioned in her speech the partnership between the chamber and the university which she considers a breakthrough.
“In Negros Occidental, we had this signing of a MOA with STIWNU and we are so glad that representatives are here headed by Dr. Mima Villanueva, the Vice President for Academic Affairs. It is actually for meeting the objectives of the school and the chamber. We will be studying the curriculum and see whether it is aligned to the business needs of the industry,” explained Carbon.
Moreover, the PCCI-Visayas also reached out to national government agencies and invited NGAs like the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
“We are trying to bring in these national government agencies to join hands with us, to work with us on the power industry also. It is something that is very very important. The DOE and the directors and officers of the ERC, they are together in one team, trying to discuss the plans and programs of the DOE so that the ERC could also have their regulatory persons. So that there are no more gaps,” said the conference chair.
Conference organizers said the recently-concluded two-day conference served as a platform for stakeholders to address questions, share ideas and initiate dialogues. All inputs taken by attendees from the different discussions that covered various topics under the theme, “Exploring New Economic Frontiers in Technology, Governance and Innovation”, will be used to take definitive actions for a more sustainable, inclusive and digitized Philippines.*
