NAGA CITY -– In partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Bicol, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Camarines Sur Information Communication Technology Council (CamSur ICT Council) is spearheading the hosting of the First Bicol Regional ICT Forum on February 29, 2008 at the Avenue Convention Center, here.

        Forum highlights include gathering of key personalities, pillars and players in the industry and government and officials from business, the academe, people’s organizations and NGOs and civil society from different cities and municipalities of the six Bicol provinces.

        The forum which will also be a gathering of prominent figures and stakeholders of Information Communication Technology and ICT-related services will also serve as an effective facility for establishing linkages and networking to further the development and promotion of the industry.

        ICT-related stakeholders like call centers, animation, medical transcription, software developers, suppliers, and other players who are into ICT services will be participating in the forum.

        Among the prominent figures appearing in the forum and will express support for the development of ICT industry is Mayor Jesse M. Robredo who will also welcome the forum participants. Chairman E. Daniel A De Leon of the Council shall render the overview of the forum.

        Camarines Sur’s 1st District Congressman Dato Arroyo will give his keynote talk on the National ICT roadmap which will be followed by Enrique Pingol’s “The Sunrise Industry.” Pingol is the president of League of Offsharing and Outsourcing Partners of the Philippines.

        “The Breakthrough Technologies and Trends, the DOST Response” will be given by a representative coming, from the DOST national office while the Partnership in Synergy, Academe and Industry in government and private sectors will be discussed by Dir. Conrado G. Bares of TESDA.

        Keynotes 5 and 6 are the Opening the floodgates of job opportunities and See, Hear, Speak in Style shall be given by Jay Yulo, Director for training and recruitment, Sutherland and a representative from SMART Communications, respectively.

        Interested parties may contact the forum secretariat at Tel. Nos. 472-8729 (Bernard) and 472-8111 (Niño); Tel/Fax Nos. 472-8733; e-mail address summit08@wricolleges.com