With reports from Leah Marchil
The DOST ICT Office in coordination with the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Bohol Investment and Promotion Center and the Bohol ICT Council held a Rural Impact Sourcing Forum for IT and Business and Accounting students from UB, BISU, Cristal E, STI, Mater Dei College, BIT, as well as students from DCPNHS, BWS, and TCSHS. The forum presented opportunities for livelihood and employment through freelance work on the Internet.
Speakers of the forum included DOST ICTO Deputy Executive Director for eInnovation Monchito Ibrahim, Team Lead Jielyn Joy Jocson, Upwork Philippines representative Olivia Briones and Online Jobs University Founder and CEO Genesis Reonico.
Testimonies were also presented from those in the Impact Sourcing Industry. Alwyn Rosal (web services), Joseph Ingking (Graphics Design), Nelson Buena (Social Media Marketing), and Gemela Castro (Teaching) shared advantages of freelance work on the Internet.
The promotion of Impact Rural Sourcing is seen as an important step in opening up the IT industry in the province, with IT considered as one of major development pillars and a growth propeller. Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio represented Gov. Edgar Chatto while City Administrator Edi Borja represented Mayor Baba Yap in welcoming participants of the forum, both underscoring province and city efforts to build the IT industry in the province, gearing programs towards a healthy investment climate as well as strong human resource.
Participants of the Rural Impact Sourcing workshop at the Bohol Cultural Center.