ILOILO – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has begun equipping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Iloilo Province with digital tools and training aimed at helping them tap wider markets through e-commerce, with officials hinting at a possible expansion of the initiative to more municipalities if successful.
A total of 25 laptops were turned over on Monday, June 15, to selected MSMEs in the municipalities of Badiangan, Janiuay and Cabatuan under DICT’s Project ACTIVATE, a program designed to strengthen local participation in the digital economy through technology access, skills development and digital entrepreneurship.
DICT Undersecretary Leandro Aguirre personally led the turnover ceremony and signing of the Deed of Donation Agreement at the Governor’s Board Room.
Under the program, each municipality will receive about eight to nine laptops to support the digitalization efforts of identified MSMEs, enabling them to access online platforms, expand their customer base and improve business operations.
“We want the laptops to be the start of empowering Ilonggos to be able to take advantage of the digital economy kasi what we see parang a lot of people feel they been left behind by the digital economy. So, the laptops are just one way to ensure that we are able bring everyone to the point that they can participate,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre said the laptop distribution will be complemented by training sessions that will teach MSMEs how to use the devices and market their products online.
“So, the laptops together with the training hopefully will allow Ilonggos specifically those in Janiuay, Cabatuan and Badiangan to be able to not just participate but be able to put their products online and this can be made available across the entire country which will benefit not just those MSMEs but benefit their LGUs, it will benefit the province and will also benefit those can now enjoy their products,” he added.
According to Aguirre, DICT is considering expanding the program to other municipalities if the pilot implementation in the three Iloilo towns yields positive results.
Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque welcomed the initiative, saying the assistance goes beyond the provision of equipment and opens opportunities for local entrepreneurs to innovate and grow.
“Today we are not just providing laptops to MSMEs, we are also providing our MSMEs with an opportunity to adopt, with the opportunity to innovate, with opportunity to expand their reach and to confidently participate in a more digital world,” Debuque said.
She expressed hope that the project would inspire entrepreneurs, even those operating in barangays, to maximize digital tools in promoting and selling their products.
“The world is transforming, and technology should not widen the gap but instead bridge that gaps of those who have access to digital tools and those who have not,” she added.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the Provincial Government of Iloilo, headed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., appreciates the support from DICT, especially as e-commerce continues to emerge as a major platform for business transactions following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The platform really of digitalization is very helpful in bringing the market not only local but even global. So thank you for this assistance but more importantly the training that they provide to our MSMEs. These laptops will be not useful if will just use it to open our social media accounts but the most important things is to generate content para we can increase our market share of the products that we have,” Banias said.
Project ACTIVATE seeks to provide local enterprises with the tools and skills needed to participate more actively in the digital economy and access broader business opportunities through online platforms./PN
