Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Council okays 3 resolutions to strengthen ICT By Grace L. Plata
THREE measures to promote and develop information and communications technology (ICT) in Davao City were passed Tuesday by the Davao City Council.
The first is the proposed amendment to the Davao City Investment Incentive Code of 1994 under second reading. The proposal incorporates ICT as the tenth investment area where the city will provide incentives.
Those identified under the current law include agri-business, tourism facilities, transshipment facilities, miscellaneous light manufacturing activities, property development and branches of foreign banks, telecommunications, environmental protection and enhancement project, and establishment of medical, education, training and sports facilities.
"ICT is indisputably the fastest growing industry and an indispensable partner in economic development. In key cities, local and foreign investors are inclined to give preference to areas where ICT expansion and development could cater to their demands and needs. To have a competitive edge, locally and globally, the local government of Davao City has to adopt strategies to entice and attract prospective investors. In return, the ICT industry will provide the city with high revenue and employment for its constituents," Councilor Teresita Mata-Marañon, chair of the City Council committee on ICT, said during her presentation Tuesday.
The City Council also passed two resolutions, also proposed by Marañon. One requested Mayor Rodrigo Duterte through City Administrator Wendel Avisado to include ICT-Davao as member of the Davao City ICT Task Force (ICTTAF) created by the mayor through Executive Order 16 issued in 2006.
The ICTTAF is tasked to craft policies that are aimed to make Davao City the ICT of Mindanao.
"ICT Davao is the umbrella organization of IT organizations in the city and serves as the unified voice of ICT stakeholders of Davao," Marañon said.
The other resolution was a show of support to the House of Representatives ICT committee's move to create a technical working group that addresses the public's clamor in providing specific laws to deal with cyber crimes in the country.
