As a means to address the high poverty incidence and unemployment rates in the Zamboanga Peninsula, where 24.4% of households live below the poverty threshold, the DICT Regional Office IX and BASULTA provides continuous and free capacity building programs focused on developing relevant and in-demand digital skills aligned with job market opportunities, particularly in the fields of IT-BPM.

Its flagship program, the Digital Jobs Technical Training, has equipped over 1,200 men and women with skills in digital marketing and graphic design since 2017. In 2023, it introduced the Medical Virtual Assistance Training Program, which produced six successful graduates in Zamboanga City, with one graduate securing employment after program completion.

In 2024, it partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Asian Tech Hub Academy for contact center services training, with 300 individuals successfully completing the program.

All these capacity-building initiatives are complemented by the DICT’s free co-working spaces, connectivity through its public Wi-Fi, and access to digital literacy and training courses to ensure inclusive and sustainable digital opportunities—one skill at a time.

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• Asia and Pacific

• Youth
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

The digital capacity-building programs implemented by DICT Regional Office IX and BASULTA for Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi provide a scalable model that can be replicated nationwide through several key aspects:

(1) Existing Digital Hubs – The established network of Digital Transformation and Tech4ED Centers across the country serves as training hubs. These centers, strategically located in schools, local government units, and reformation centers, enable easy replication of training programs, expanding their reach to diverse groups.

(2) Modular Training Programs – The initiative focuses on skill development tailored to local industry demands and skill gaps, ensuring beneficiaries gain competencies for high-value services. Training can be customized to community-specific needs and conducted either in-person or online, enhancing scalability.

(3) Skill Transferability – Beyond employment skills, beneficiaries develop expertise that positions them as future trainers and resource persons. This natural knowledge transfer further facilitates replication.

(4) Strong Partnerships – Collaboration with DICT, local governments, ICT councils, industry players, and the academe strengthens implementation. With proper partnerships and resource allocation, these initiatives can be adapted to various sectors and socio-economic contexts.

By sharing best practices and continuously refining training modules, the government can drive nationwide digital empowerment. As more communities gain digital skills, economic growth and employment opportunities expand, fostering a more inclusive and progressive digital economy.

The initiative is part of the mandate of the DICT, through Republic Act No. 10844, to upskill and empower individuals through digital capacity building programs. The mandate to ensure a skilled and digitally literate workforce ready is enforced and sustained through targeted programs and services of DICT’s ICT Literacy and Competency and ICT Industry Development Bureaus, as well as national laws and initiatives such as the Philippine Innovation Act and Digital Cities 2025. These ensure long-term commitment and resource allocation.

Infrastructural support is also provided through free co-working spaces, free public Wi-Fi, and ongoing training sessions, further sustaining the initiative from training start to fruition of employment and digital careers.

Long-term sustainability is achieved through strategic collaborations and continuous enhancement of the program. By forging partnerships with Local Government Units, private sector stakeholders, and educational institutions, DICT secures the necessary resources and expertise to maintain and expand these initiatives.

Since its inception, the program has consistently provided individuals with essential digital skills, enabling them to secure employment and thrive in the online workforce. Regular assessments and feedback mechanisms allow for program adjustments, ensuring relevance to evolving industry demands.

Moreover, the program cultivates a network of empowered individuals who, in turn, contribute to their communities by sharing knowledge and mentoring new trainees. This ripple effect not only sustains the program’s impact but also fosters a culture of continuous digital growth and economic empowerment, paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient workforce in the years to come.

By advancing digital literacy and inclusive workforce participation, the project exemplifies the principles of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). It promotes digital inclusion by equipping individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, with essential ICT skills, enabling them to engage in the digital economy. The initiative supports capacity building through structured training programs, fostering collaboration between government, private sectors, and local communities to create sustainable employment pathways. Moreover, the project ensures long-term impact by integrating ongoing evaluation, mentorship, and infrastructure support, reinforcing WSIS values of leveraging ICT for empowerment and sustainable development. By continuously expanding its reach and refining its methodologies, DICT strengthens the role of ICT in bridging socio-economic gaps, driving digital transformation, and fostering a more equitable and connected society.