SKILLS UPGRADE. The Palawan provincial government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) jointly conduct the Digital Connectivity Initiative program on July 12-13, 2023 in Puerto Princesa City. The event sought to provide provincial and hospital employees with comprehensive training in advanced web development and management techniques. (Photo by Izza Reynoso)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – The Palawan provincial government has collaborated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the implementation of the Digital Connectivity Initiative program for local governments and hospitals in the province.
Lawyer Christian Jay Cojamco, chief of the Provincial Information Office (PIO), said Thursday the innovative program focuses on empowering local government units (LGUs) and provincial hospitals in Palawan by providing comprehensive training in advanced web development and management techniques.
The two-day event from July 12-13 was held at the state-of-the-art Palawan Technology Hub here, with renowned industry experts sharing their expertise with over 50 participants.
Leading the training sessions is Arjen Azul, a digital strategist and DICT-Batangas provincial officer.
"Despite the geographical distance, Azul's impactful presentations have elucidated the intricacies of modern webpage creation, captivating the attention of all attendees," he said.
Cojamco explained that Azul's comprehensive tutorials have shed light on the potential of WordPress as a user-friendly platform for webpage development, making it accessible even to novices in the field.
Virgo Pinangay, provincial engineer of DICT Luzon Cluster 3, said they introduced the attendees to WordPress which is a user-friendly platform. He added that its themes and plugins are designed for easy drag-and-drop functionality, eliminating the need for extensive technical knowledge.
"While some of our IT professionals are already adept in this area, others are less familiar with the technicalities of website creation," he said.
On the other hand, Agnes Alarilla, the program manager of the Provincial Information and Communications Technology Program (PICTP), emphasized the far-reaching benefits of the training for the entire province.
She pointed out the importance of websites as valuable sources of information and acknowledged the need for each LGU to have its own online presence.
"By upskilling our IT personnel across the province, we are empowering our municipalities on a wide scale. This training will enhance communication and information dissemination, significantly benefiting the entire province," Alarilla stated.
Cojamco said that in addition to web development, the participants are being exposed to other essential topics, including the utilization of digital signatures for official document authentication, which is a vital aspect of the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) government services.
Moreover, the program incorporates sessions on Internet Media and Information Literacy, equipping participants with the necessary skills to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.
"The overarching objective of this training initiative is to equip all LGU participants with the requisite skills to create and manage webpages effectively. We want to help in enhancing their capabilities, and we're aiming to revolutionize communication channels and information dissemination within their respective LGUs, fostering a digitally connected and informed community. (PNA)
