The 6th ICT Summit 2024 held under the theme “Fostering Future Careers: Navigating the Pathways of ICT Innovation”, took place at the J&V Hotel and Resort in Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union on April 18, 2024.

This annual event commenced with the presence of City Mayor Hon. Hermenegildo A. Gualberto, City Vice Mayor Hon. Alfredo Pablo R. Ortega, and City Councilor Hon. Kyle Marie Eufrosito Y. Nisce who delivered their respective messages.

Moreover, the Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry Usec. Mary Jean T. Pacheco served as the keynote speaker together with other resource speakers Director III of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) – Government Digital Transformation Bureau Mr. June Vincent Manuel S. Gaudan and Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog who also shared their insights, programs, and direction of the national government in transforming the localities into digital, smart, and sustainable communities.

The first plenary session focused on innovating education through technology to bridge the skills gap with presentations from the President of the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) and the Dean of the College of Information Technology of DMMMSU-MLUC Dr. Alvin R. Malicdem, Supervision Education Program Specialist of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Regional Office I Engr. Angelica Q. Dolores, and Regional Operations Division Chief of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office I Ms. Crescencia B. Boac.

In addition, during the second plenary session, the Head of the Technical Operations Division at DICT-CAR Dr. Allan Lao, Blockchain Developer in Web3Auth and DeFi Philippines Ms. Christine Erispe, and the Professional Services Manager of Gappify Rhena Beth Mateo fostered discussions on emerging technology trends of data science, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In these sessions, the Program Head in Computer Science at Union Christian College Mr. Amor Vincent Canono, and Acting Dean of the College of Computer Studies and Engineering at LORMA Colleges Dr. Jeoffrey Layco served as moderators.

The last plenary session emphasized ICT-enabled industries and job creation with the Project Manager of 457 Avenue Inc. Ms. Noemi Balog, Owner and COO of Virtus BPO Corp. Ms. Judith Ledesma, Director of Operations at TaskUs PH Ms. Ingrid Mitchilinn Salvilla, and AVP PH Operations of 51Talk Mr. Rommel Quozon.

The event concluded with closing remarks from the Chairman of the City of San Fernando ICT Council Mr. Edgee Don Zarsadias.

The ICT Summit is an annual event initiated by the City Government in partnership with the City of San Fernando ICT Council, serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and strengthening partnerships and collaboration among the ICT players, business sector, academe sector, and other stakeholders in the City and in the Province of La Union.

With the help of our partners, we continue to foster careers through this summit and highlight our collective effort towards advancing ICT initiatives for the #People’sCity of #SanFernandoTayo.