CLARK FREEPORT -- The country's luminaries in information, communication and technology (ICT) will converge in Clark Thursday to attend the 2nd National Information and Communication Technology Confederation of the Philippines (2nd NICP) Summit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to lead the rites as guest of honor and speaker.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Arroyo is expected to officially open the three-day summit and deliver the keynote address that will reiterate her administration's vision for the Philippines to be globally competitive in the ICT industry.

Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, chairman of the Commission on ICT (CICT), will introduce the President.

Following her speech will be a presentation by Secretary Roxas-Chua titled "Philippine Position in ICT and Global Trends of BPO IT Industry."

Other topics that will be discussed during the summit include Philippine BPO Industry, Taking the Center Stage by Jonathan Rosenberg, President, Cyber City TeleServices; Developing Cutting-Edge Technology for the Benefit of Society by Cesar Flores, International Sales Director, Smartmatic International and Development of Clark Freeport.

Clark Development Corporation president Benigno Ricafort was tasked to discuss the development of Clark Freeport.

The summit, to be hosted by the Metro Clark ICT Council (MCICTC) chaired by George Sorio Sr., executive vice president of Cyber City, is in recognition of the important role of the ICT in advancing today's growing business activities here and abroad.

CDC and Cyber City are spearheading the summit, which aims to realize President Arroyo's vision to boost the ICT industry.

Ricafort said the event is fully supported by the state-owned corporation as the Freeport is envisioned to be the center for the ICT industries and other related investment projects in the country.

MCICTC, according to Sorio, is a member of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), which represents the national venue of united partnership for the Philippines' ICT industry. The NICP is the hub of super regions in Asia with ready information technology platforms for investment destinations.

Some 4,000 delegates are expected to participate in summit being co-sponsored by the CICT and Peregrine International, ComClark, and Savers Group of Companies.

Government agencies that assisted in the event include the Department Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The Clark Investors and Locators Association, Philippine Society of Information Technology and Educators (PSITE), Fontana Leisure Parks, Technology Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), Stotsenburg Hotel, Angeles City Government, Mabalacat Government, and Smartmatic also contributed in the conduct of the summit.

There will be speeches and presentations to be made by Clark International Airport Corporation Present and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano; Dennis Wright, president of Peregrine International (Global Gateways Logistics City); Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno (Sharing Best Practices: Angeles City ICT Position); Globe (The Philippines World-Class Connectivity Infrastructure and TxTConnect Raffle Quizzes) and, Iris Hester Tan-Chiu, IBM Philippines (Smarter Planet Innovation Initiatives).

The summit will also have business matching activities, exhibitions and displays, cultural presentations, street dancing and musical show. (RGN)