MANKAYAN, Benguet – Mayor Frenzel Ayong announced that the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) has chosen the mineral-rich town as one of the rural impact sourcing hub in the region that will pave the way for the emergence of information technology-based entrepreneurs from the different barangays in the future.
Ayong, who attended the initial workshop called for by the DICT for the said purpose in Clark, Pamapanga recently, said that the municipality stands to benefit from its selection as a rural impact sourcing hub because the concerned agency will work on the improved internet connectivity that will ensure the influx of more internet-based businesses and for improved transactions by the local government.
Aside from Mankayan, Benguet, the other rural impact sourcing hub in the region that was chosen by the DICT was Luna, Apayao because of its fast growing business potentials although problems on internet connectivity persists.
The local chief executive disclosed that the local government is obligated to establish the required training center which will have at least 25 computers and the other facilities for the said center.
“We will surely take advantage of this opportunity being provided by the DICT so that we will be able to lobby for the improved internet connectivity in the municipality which will be beneficial to all our constituents even those from the remote villages,” Mayor Ayong stressed.
On the other hand, the DICT will provide the competent trainers who will provide the needed trainings and exposure to the interested online entrepreneurs until such time that they will be able to stand on their own.
According to him, the priority sectors who will avail of the trainings are the persons with disabilities, solo parents and other marginalized groups although the training will be open to all on a first come, first serve basis.
Ayong claimed that the program will be implemented in partnership with the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company and the Far Southeast Goldfields Resources Inc. so that the local government can tap a portion of the mining companies’ social development and management project for the sustainable implementation of the noble project that is geared towards providing interested residents with guaranteed livelihood even if they will be confined in their residences.
He asserted that beneficiaries of the endeavor will be appropriately screened by the concerned offices of the municipal government so that those who are really interested to become online entrepreneurs will be the ones to be provided with the appropriate trainings and guidance on how to start their desired businesses and sustain the same to earn decent income that will contribute in uplifting the living condition of their families, especially those coming from the remote villages of the municipality.
Ayong stipulated that DICT is also inclined to coordinate with the existing telecommunication companies to significantly improve their signals in the different parts of the municipality so that the online entrepreneurs will be able to maximize the potentials of the businesses that they have established for progress and development.
By HENT