COTABATO CITY—In line with the observance of 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) in the Bangsamoro region, a basic information, communication and technology (ICT) literacy training, which involved mostly women, was conducted by the Bangsamoro Information and Communications Technology Office (BICTO) on Thusday, Nov. 25, in Cotabato City.
The activity, in partnership with MP Abduladzis M. Esmael and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Mindanao Cluster 3 Office (Cotabato City-Maguindanao Field Office), aimed to equip and advance the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills in ICT which is necessary in today’s digital world particularly in the workplace.
BICTO Administrative Officer Rhodemil Imam Belonghilot explained the benefits of digitally-equipped individuals in this computer era, saying, “learning the digital skills are considered very important forces in changing and shaping the lives of our people, especially on the issue of empowering the women.”
Meanwhile, MP Esmael’s representative, Atty. Allan Calido, mentioned the need to establish a training and research center in BARMM related to digital learning so that it could surpass the previous data, wherein 91% in the region had no computers and 95% had no internet connection.
“We are in a digital era wherein most of our necessary information is already in digital systems in the internet, and the need to provide learning and research center in the Bangsamoro region is crucial in this time,” Calido said.
“I am hoping that our MP [Esmael] will be sponsoring a bill in the next few months for the establishment of digital learning and research center in the region purposely to boost the potentials and global competitiveness of our people in the world of paperless,” he added.
DICT Provincial Officer Engr. Manan Butongkay emphasized the essence of learning digital knowledge since most of the socio-political and economic undertakings are already embedded in the digital technology.
“I am looking forward that our DICT could implement the free WiFi for all programs so that everybody could enjoy the benefit of it and no one is left behind from digital transformation,” Butongkay said. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
