𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥’𝐬 𝐈𝐓-𝐁𝐏𝐌 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧; 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝟎𝟎𝐊 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖

TAGBILARAN CITY (July 9, 2025) – As Bohol advances its information, communication, and technology (ICT) agenda, stakeholders recognize the role of the academe in shaping local talents as part of its value chain. Held at the Maxi Hotel and Event Center, the Bohol ICT Roadmap Development Workshop kicked off with a general orientation and planning session attended by public and private sector leaders.

“Daghan kaayong locals nga angayan tudluan, angayan pahibaw-on on the potentials for the IT-BPM,” said Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, delivering the message of Governor Aris Aumentado. 

Caberte relayed that even though the governor’s focus in the next three years would be agriculture, IT-BPM remains one of the priorities.

“We will sustain the major revenue stream of the province, which is tourism—dili biyaan—but naay mga bag-o natong pang-agakon, and one of those is IT-BPM.”

Despite this focus, the IT-BPM sector highlighted the emerging value chain where education plays a pivotal role.

Caberte cited the province’s advantage: a young, literate, and trainable population that can support a growing digital workforce.

“Potential BPOs are interested in Bohol because of our talent. We are increasing our take-up rate within 10–12 percent.”

The administrator also pointed out that ICT growth will not only benefit tech companies but will also activate related sectors such as real estate, utilities, and—critically—the academe.

“IT-BPO in Bohol is expected to generate more than 800,000 jobs in 2028,” she emphasized, referring to the direct and indirect opportunities with the booming industry.

‘𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀’

Caberte acknowledged that while talent is a major asset, barriers still need to be addressed to fully realize Bohol’s digital shift.

“We don’t have many spaces ready for plug-and-play for IT-BPO locators,” she said.

These plug-and-play setups are often required by companies when exploring new provincial locations that are strategically situated.

Caberte also stressed the importance of timely policy support to meet the infrastructure needs of BPO locators.

“The private sector already has plans. Government must support through legislation and promotion,” she added.

She reminded developers and LGUs that the ICT push is not just a private venture but a strategic move requiring inter-sector collaboration.

‘𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀’

To maximize impact, Caberte encouraged stakeholders to raise awareness among youth and students about opportunities in the IT-BPM industry.

“We have to spread the news that there is an IT-BPM emerging, and we have to prepare for it,” she said.

She highlighted that students, graduates, and even parents need to understand the relevance of digital careers in Bohol’s future economy.

“There are a lot of good jobs and opportunities coming—just bring the good news to them and they will prepare themselves well for this.”

Moreover, she proposed a province-wide ICT-academe roadshow to directly engage educational institutions and motivate future workers.

Caberte also called on municipalities to form their own ICT councils to drive the digital agenda at the local level.

Currently, Tagbilaran City is the only local government in the province to have an ICT Council and a development plan.

The component city is also one of the 25 digital cities recognized in the country.

‘𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁’

In the coming months, Bohol will launch a series of workshops to lay the foundation for the ICT Development Roadmap for 2025–2028.

The Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office will organize the workshops in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) – Region 7.

“This is a first for a province in Region 7, and we are thankful that Bohol is aggressive (in crafting the roadmap),” said Joshua Eleazar Domen, IT Officer II of DICT 7.

The series of workshops will involve public and private stakeholders to shape Bohol’s ICT landscape, including a Strategic Planning and Gap Analysis scheduled on August 5.

The Implementation Plan and Roadmap Development will follow in October, with a target launch on November 16 this year.

The roadmap will assess and highlight the four verticals of the ICT sector: talent, infrastructure, cost, and business environment.

Once realized, the roadmap will directly benefit BPOs, creatives, startups, online freelancers, emerging techs, and healthcare information management systems.

Furthermore, the workshops will engage the ICT Industry Development Bureau, the Bohol ICT Council, the academe, the private sector, and other government agencies.

Aligned with Bohol’s Strategic Change Agenda, the province is preparing to become a serious contender in the country’s ICT ecosystem through a unified effort to align education, policy, and infrastructure. 

via Provincial Information and Media Office