THE Information Communications Technology (ICT) Davao will hold a series of free information communication technology (ICT)-related training workshops on November 21 and 22 for the non-tech individuals in a bid to raise digital literacy in the city.
The workshop is part of nationwide program dubbed as "Digibayanihan," aimed at ensuring "all Filipinos are digitally literate to harness the power of technology to improve lives" through volunteerism work from industry professionals.
Other ICT councils across the country will also be holding the same workshop.
ICT Davao, in a statement, said that this is "the unified efforts of the government, academe and IT industry to equip a greater number of Filipinos with 21st century skills that will enhance global competitiveness, workforce employability and entrepreneurship."
The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) president Lizabel Holganza, speaking in Wednesday's Club 888 at Marco Polo Hotel Davao, said many players in the ICT industry have already been conducting digital literacy workshops for years already but this will be the first time time that the activity will be simultaneously held across the country.
She said through the "Digibayanihan," they will be able to keep track of the activities or workshops that will be organized and the number of beneficiaries they have already assisted.
ICT Davao executive director Vic Sapar said there will be two sessions; one on Basic Drawing and Digital Art using Windows Paint, and the other will be on basic computer skills for persons with disabilities (PWDs) on November 21, 2014.
The first session will be for grade four pupils from the Zonta Elementary School who will be trained on Basic Drawing and Digital Art using Windows Paint.
Volunteers from the Davao Graphic Designers Community, Enhance the Creativity Club of the University of the Immaculate Conception, ICT Davao, and Davao-based non-government organization (NGO) Tambayan will give the lectures.
In the afternoon, volunteers from the Google Business Group, Davao Virtual Assistants Association and ICT Davao will be teaching PWDs "on the applications for e-mail, word processing and presentation slides as well as required skills and specialization options to become virtual assistants."
Both sessions will be held at the Davao City Library.
On November 22, there will be a special workshop for families of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) on the use of OFW Watch and using technology to find or keep in contact with their families who are working outside the country at the Mynd Consulting office.
The workshop will be conducted by Mynd Consulting, ICT Davao, Davao City Integrated Gender & Development Division (DC-IGDD), abandoned family members of OFWs, members of the Davao City Social Services Development Office (CSSDO).
"OFW Watch interconnects Filipinos working abroad to their families and loved ones as well as monitor their conditions. OFW Watch is a community service initiative of Davao-based Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company, Mynd Dynamic Team, which was founded in 2006 by a former OFW, Myrna Padilla. As an OFW for over 20 years, Padilla established OFW Watch (www.ofwwatch.com) to keep track of weak and vulnerable Filipinos abroad," the briefer said.
Sapar said with the developments in the ICT industry, digital literacy among individuals is becoming more important every day.
He said the first sessions will all be computer-based and in the following workshops they are hoping to use other platforms like tablets or smartphones.
"Digital literacy is a critical skill to develop towards the attainment of inclusive growth. Our people need this skill for effective participation and empowerment. ICT Davao is pleased to be part of this nationwide endeavor as the umbrella organization of ICT trade associations in Davao region," ICT Davao President lawyer Samuel Matunog said in a statement.
Holganza said "Digibayanihan" will be launched simultaneously in General Santos City, Bacolod City, Naga Cit, Legazpi City, and the province of Saranggani. (RJL)