TACLOBAN CITY – As a part of the Digital Cities 2025 initiative, Tacloban City has started its transformation towards becoming one of the Philippines' digital cities. The groundwork was laid in a pre-development session held on May 5 between the City Government of Tacloban and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 8.
The session presided over by City Councilor Christopher Randy Esperas, was geared towards the upcoming Institutional Development Workshop designed to uplift the Tacloban Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Council.
The meeting saw the participation of key representatives such as Claire Fernandez, the DICT- ICT Industry Development Bureau Focal for Region 8, who discussed the specifications of the digital cities' scorecard datasheet.
During the gathering, attendees also engaged in a detailed SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to evaluate the potential and hurdles for the Tacloban ICT Council members.
With a hopeful outlook, DICT Regional Director Felix S. Tabanao, Jr. expressed his belief that the insights from these pre-development sessions would significantly contribute to creating the Digital Cities Roadmap for Tacloban City. This roadmap aligns with the Digital Cities 2025 initiative, a nationwide project introduced recently to boost local economies by leveraging IT and Business Process Management (BPM) sectors across the country.
Digital cities employ computer and geographic science to simulate real cities, assisting governmental planning and transportation simulation. This innovative approach is set to change the face of city management in Tacloban and beyond.
Other dignitaries at the meeting included City administrator Atty. Jojo Lacanilao; Melissa Ledesma, OIC, City Information Office; Peter Philip Pates, DOLE R08; Mathew Anthony Ayes- DICT8; George Michael Picardal, DICT 8; and Ricky Piandong, TESDA R08. —iTacloban (Source: CIO/DICT-8)