LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Cordillera and the Province of Benguet on Wednesday launched the Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) center here, where residents can be trained on and do web-based marketing for livelihood.
The first of its kind in the Cordilleras, the center is housed at the provincial Capitol building.
William Rojaz, Officer-in-Charge of DICT Field Operations Office Cordillera, said the RIS hub center serves as a training venue and workspace for those trained on Information and Communications Technology (ICT). He added it would also aid those interested in online marketing and web development.
After the brief RIS launching, DICT Cluster Cordillera donated eight laptops for the use of the center.
The computers, including an internet router and a printer, will be stationed at the center, where 26 people with previous ICT training can also teach new trainees as part of the agreement to transfer the technology.
Rojas explained the RIS center is a DICT initiative in partnership with the provincial government. It is aimed at developing the ICT technical skills and creating ICT-enabled jobs in the province, as well as promoting local talent and businesses for inclusive growth.
Rojas said there were 26 persons, composed mostly out of school youths, former Overseas Filipino Workers, working mothers, and former corporate employees from the different parts of the province, who have undergone training at the DICT regional office in Baguio City.
These are DICT scholars on online RIS Technical Training focused on branding for companies, products, and services, and business blogging. They were also trained to build their own Freelance Profile among other skills.
Lawyer Noel Ngolob, Benguet Provincial Administrator, said the DICT had informed the provincial government of the programs for out-of-school youth and others who are interested to be trained on digital business.
“The training that lasted for 23 days might just be a start, as those trained will be made to teach the others,” Ngolob said.
He said the RIS center would help boost the industries in Benguet, particularly the products of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).
Ngolob said there are about one million persons engaged in MSME nationwide, but he was informed only about five percent of them are promoting and selling their goods online.
He added the partnership with the DICT can also lead to further skills training, particularly for the secretaries of the different barangays, who can be taught basic computer literacy, allowing them to make their reports and documentation processes easier. (Primo Agatep and Liza Agoot/PNA)
