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The Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has stressed the significant potential of Western Visayas in advancing the country’s digital ecosystem. Speaking at the Regional ICT Summit and Exhibitions (RISE) programme, DICT Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, underscored the readiness of the region to lead in harnessing digital resources and systems.
“We are ready; we have been ready. But we need to continue evolving, as the demands of the industry have become more complex,” said Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue.
She noted that Western Visayas, with its robust infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and supportive business environment, is well-positioned to be a key player in the nation’s digital transformation.
The region boasts two Centres of Excellence – Bacolod City and Iloilo City – and one designated Digital City, Roxas City. These cities, according to Batapa-Sigue, are poised to drive Western Visayas to the forefront of the Philippines’ digital ecosystem.
“Our challenge for Region 6 is to lead the way for the country because we have immense potential,” she added, stressing that collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to sustaining the region’s growth.
The Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector has already created around 100,000 jobs in Western Visayas, generating approximately P1 billion (around US$ 17.5 million) in monthly salaries. The region’s competitive edge, according to Batapa-Sigue, comes from its quality educational institutions, affordable living conditions, and improved infrastructure, all of which make it attractive for businesses and IT investments.
Haidee Enriquez, Chair of the Talent Attraction and Development Committee at the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), highlighted the industry’s broader national impact. The IT-BPM sector currently employs 1.7 million people, with plans to create an additional 1.1 million jobs by 2028. Of those, Enriquez projected that 55% – or around 600,000 jobs -.will be based in the provinces, offering a unique opportunity – for Western Visayas to claim a significant share.
“How much of that do you want to be in Western Visayas?” Enriquez challenged regional stakeholders, encouraging them to utilise tools like the Philippine Skills Framework for ICT to further strengthen the digital workforce.
In addition to national growth strategies, local government officials are taking steps to support the region’s digital and business process outsourcing (BPO) industries. Velma Jane Lao, head of Iloilo City’s Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP), highlighted the impressive growth of the ICT and BPO sectors in the city.
However, she stressed the need to revisit strategies by engaging educational institutions to better align graduates’ skills with industry needs.
“I think schools are catching up, but we need to double our efforts by partnering with them and ensuring that graduates are prepared with relevant communication and advanced skills,” said Lao.
The RISE programme was a part of the four-day Western Visayas Innovative Startup Festival, which aimed to promote the region as a hub for ICT jobs, investments, and opportunities. The event also emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in fostering regional development.
AsOpenGov Asia reported, the Philippines aims to build a strong digital economy using all means to empower regions, enhance infrastructure, boost competition, and create a more inclusive digital landscape for all stakeholders.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 12023, applying Value-Added Tax (VAT) to digital services, is a key step in boosting the Philippines’ digital economy. It is expected to generate ₱7.25 billion (US$130 million) by 2025 and ₱105 billion (US$1.9 billion) over five years, funding infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals, and roads.
By nurturing these partnerships and capitalising on existing strengths, Western Visayas is poised to become a major player in the country’s digital future.
