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National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

3rd MINDANAO ICT CONFERENCE

NICP is the recognized national organization of ICT Councils in the Philippines.

Our organization serves as the venue for collaboration and sharing of best
practices for our member organizations. Through the years, our organization
has served as the unified voice for the Philippine Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) Sector. We work tirelessly to promote ICT
all throughout the country and support each of the councils endeavors in order
to help strengthen the ICT in their areas and create more jobs for the Filipinos.

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VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

National ICT Confederation of

the Philippines (NICP)
about 2 weeks ago

It is with warmth and joy that you have a safe,

happy and joy-filled day. Merry Christmas!
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National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

VICTOR Celebrates 6 Years of

Countryside ICT Innovation in Aklan by
Zion Campo, PRO, Bohol ICT Council
Local Information Communications & Technology (ICT) councils around the Philippines
are packing their bulgy bags and heading to Aklan this February 22-23, 2018 at
Sampaguita Garden, New Washington, Aklan not to party on the white sandy beaches
of beautiful Boracay but to learn and to network with people in this industry.

Typically, most people associate Aklan with the paradise that is Boracay which has
been consistently named as one of the best islands in the world. The sun, the sea and
the sand is what most people travel to Aklan for - to discover and network with people in
the industry is way out of anybody’s vocabulary.

A number of ICT champions are headed to Kalibo, Aklan for the sixth year of the
VICTOR (Visayas ICT Cluster Organization ) Conference, an annual gathering of ICT
councils, industry leaders, government heads and the academe. VICTOR aims to help
promote the massive untapped potential of the Visayan Islands as great locations for
ICT-enabled jobs, opportunities and investments.

A large group of dedicated men and women from all over the country, headed by the
Visayas ICT Clusters (VICTOR) core group namely Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue from the
Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology
(BNEFIT) also the current Vice President of NICP; Joeven Tansi from Iloilo Federation
for Information Technology (IFIT); Jun Saa from Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O)
also a Board of Trustee of NICP, Joanne Phillips from Bohol ICT Council also a Board of
Trustee of NICP; Danah Fortunato from the ICT Association of Dumaguete and Negros
Oriental; and Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo from Aklan ICT Council (AicTec) and of course

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the newly elected National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) president
Antonio Del Carmen. Search ...

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

The event also serves as a platform for NICP (National ICT Confederation of the
Philippines) ICT Council members and its partners to have conversations on their
successes, best practices, learnings and what more can stakeholders do to support
NICP’s vision of creating more jobs and driving innovation in the Philippines’
countryside.
VISION PROGRAMS
This year, VICTOR is focusing ICT Summit
on three DCP-eGOV
major national goals:Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
- helping local government units jump into the 21st century with e-Governance initiatives
- building sustainable startup environments in different regions
- positioning local communities as prime spots for IT businesses

Alongside the VICTOR Conference, the 4th Creative Congress is also being hosted in
the sands of Aklan. The event is peppered with a number of programs, one of those is a
48 hour game hackathon called GameJam organized by the Game Developers
Association of the Philippines.

After a long day of talks, the NICP expects to strengthen their relationship with all
industry associations and provide everybody with an educational experience that they
will bring back to their communities and contribute to the 350,000 new jobs in the
countryside the organization plans on capturing.

6th VICTOR and 4th CreaCon is held in partnership with the National ICT Confederation
of the Philippines, Aklan ICT Council (AICTeC), Provincial Government of Aklan and the
Iloilo Federation for IT (IFIT) and the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT), sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Micro Genesis, MYEG
Philippines, Southwest Tours (Boracay), INC., PLDT Enterprise, DBP Kalibo, Rosa
Foods, Jocyls Foods, Filbake Corporation, Rentillo Enterprises, Buttons and Things,
Kalibo Cable TV Network Inc. and Aklan TV Network Inc.

For more information, to sponsor or purchase tickets, visit,

https://victorcon.iloilofit.org or contact aklanictcouncil@yahoo.com copy
furnish VICTOR Focal officer joeventansi@iloilofit.org Facebook: Visayas
ICT Cluster Organization – NICP.

NICP To Help Boost Countryside ICT Job

Share
Countryside champions aims to capture fifty percent of the direct jobs from the additional 700,000 new
jobs in information and communications technology (ICT) as targeted by the Philippine IT Roadmap
2022.

This translates to about 350,000 new jobs outside of Metro Manila and going to the provinces. For about
two decades, about seventy percent of the jobs in the sector are concentrated in Metro Manila.

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The new set of officers of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), the umbrella Search ...
organization of ICT councils representing regions, cities, and provinces in the countryside, convened

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

recently to forge its directions for 2018 as its mark its tenth year of corporate existence in 2018.

Incoming president Antonio Del Carmen of the Laguna Industry Network for Knowledge, Innovation and
Technology (LINK-IT)said the organizational goal of NICP this year is to develop a more conducive
relationship with all industry associations especially those who are actively involved in human resource
VISION
development PROGRAMS
and calibration. ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Among them is a stronger positioning of provincial locations for global services to be fueled by more
active ICT councils that clearly understand their roles and set their directions. NICP and its member
councils shall work together to accelerate enabling conditions, such as infrastructure, government
processes and business environment better and lobby for investors incentives especially in provincial
areas, where high sense of business confidence must be in place.

Another important springboard to achieve the numbers for jobs in 2022 is to upgrade the talent
ecosystem, pivoting to higher value skills and opportunities by working closely with the industry and
education sector.

Other elected officers include Jocelle Batapa-Sigue of the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for
Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) as Vice president, Rosemarie Quinto-Rey of
Albay ICT Association – Legazpi ICT Council as secretary, Rob Enriquez of Bataan ICT Council as
treasurer and immediate past president Stephanie Caragos of Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council as
auditor.

Efren Daniel De Leon of Bicol ICT Council, Wilfredo Sa-a, Jr. of Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O),
Joanne Phillips of Bohol ICT Council, Michael Tiu-Lim of Zamboanga ICT Council and Roberto Tinsay
of Malaybalay ICT Council complete the ten-men board for 2018.

Reference:
Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue
Nicp2010@gmail.com

LOCAL FIRM INVESTS IN MIXED

ECOZONE FOR ORMIN - Dedicates park
to every aspiring Mindoreno towards a
Future-Ready Mindoro
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Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, November 6, 2017– A big local developer in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro,
Sotera Development Group (SDG) broke ground recently to mark the start of the construction for Sotera Search ...
San Antonio at Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last October 18, 2017.

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

The Development will center around a green park covering some 5,000 square meters. Leading the
groundbreaking was Chairman Mel Agudo with Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. with Cong. Reynaldo Umali
and Mayor Arnan Panaligan in attendance, with representatives from academe, DOST, DTI, NEDA, and
the community.
VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

In the background, the time capsule is buried to start the construction, from left to right: Officers of SDG,
Morris Agudo, Merci Agudo; Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan; SDG Chairman Mel B. Agudo;
Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; Oriental Mindoro 2nd Districit Congressman Reynaldo V.
Umali; Officers of SDG, Annette Sumulong, and Severino Sumulong.

“…By investing in Mindoro’s Brightest Gold, its People. SDG dedicates this park to every aspiring
Mindoreno towards building a Future-Ready Mindoro.” Chairman Agudo said. “The Bayanihan spirit of
cooperation is a must for us all to succeed for greater heights…Together let us open the eyes of the world
to Mindoro and Mindoro to golden opportunities”

This project represents a unique venture and a culmination of two years of planning to create a
development which will serve as an anchor for job creation, innovative education programs, and

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neighborhood activities for the residents of Calapan City and the entire Oriental Mindoro province.
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Recognizing the need to address the significant challenges of Oriental Mindoro, cradling the gem of the

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

park, Sotera President Agudo said the project will host new office and commercial space that will cater to,
but not limited to the incubation of new technology-driven industries such as the IT-BPM industry, related
education initiatives, and ICT enabled businesses. SDG is known for its visionary investments in the field
of technology and real estate development. Sotera is set to operate by 2019.

Last year, the local governments of Calapan and Oriental Mindoro showed their full support to the
VISION
creation of aPROGRAMS
province-wide ICTICT Summit
council to serve DCP-eGOV
as a platformAwards MEMBERS
for collaboration RESOURCES
for industry, academe and CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
government. Agudo is thankful for this initiative and assures his full support to the direction of the
council, especially the vision of making Oriental Mindoro a destination of choice for ICT industries.

###

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Hexa Acedera at +63 999 446 3053 or
email at hexa@mvsofttech.com.

BPO TAX PERKS WILL NOT BE

TOUCHED -ANGARA
Press Release
Refer: Shielo Mendoza (09279223309)

Senator Sonny Angara has allayed the fears of the business process outsourcing
(BPO) sector, saying that tax incentives currently enjoyed by BPO companies will
remain despite the proposed comprehensive tax reform program of the government.

“Makakahinga na po nang maluwag ang ating BPO sector matapos liwanagin na hindi
mawawala ang kanilang VAT exemption. With the industry’s incentives intact, we can
continue to attract more BPO investments that would spur economic growth and job
creation in the country,” said Angara, chairman of the ways and means committee.

The Department of Finance (DOF), during Wednesday’s public hearing on the

proposed tax reform, has clarified that foreign services of BPO companies in special
economic zones will remain exempted from VAT, while those outside special economic
zones, including those registered under the Board of Investments, will retain their
zero-rated (0% VAT) status.

Certain groups from the industry had earlier voiced out their concerns that the
removal of the VAT exemption would make the country a less attractive destination
among global BPO firms.

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DOF Usec. Antonette Tionko said that there is no change in their tax policy, and some
industry stakeholders have likely misinterpreted the provisions of the bill. Search ...

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

“BPO investments have been a big help in sustaining the country’s economic growth
for the past years. We value such contribution and the government has been very
supportive of the industry by granting BPO firms various incentives,” Angara said.

In 2016, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the

VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines reported that the industry provided direct employment to some 1.15
million Filipinos, and generated $23 billion in revenue.

Meanwhile, five Philippine cities made it to the 2017 Tholons top 100 outsourcing sites
in the world, with Metro Manila recognized as the fourth most competitive global BPO
destination. Other Philippine cities on the list include Cebu (12th), Davao (85th),
Bacolod City (97th), and Santa Rosa, Laguna (100th).

Angara stressed that the IT-BPO industry should be tapped as a key driver of rural
development through the creation of high-value online jobs in far-flung communities.

“While the industry thrives as one of the top career providers in our major cities, we
must also bring opportunities in the countryside where they are needed the most.
Dapat, bigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan sa mga
malalayong probinsya na makapagtrabaho sa sektor na ito na hindi na kailangan pang
lumuwas ng Maynila,” he added.

NICP Open Statement on the Proposed

Reduction of Tax Incentives for ICT-
Enabled Industries May 31, 2017
We, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Councils of our respective cities,
provinces and regions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao under the National ICT Confederation of
the Philippines most respectfully appeal to His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the
Republic of the Philippines and the 17th Congress of The Republic of the Philippines for the
continuation, retention and expansion of current fiscal incentives of Information and
Communications Technology - Business Process Management (ICT-BPM) companies in the
Philippines in order to generate jobs and investments especially in the countryside, sustain the
growth of the said industry, which accounts for the increase in the country's GDP along side OFW
remittances, and achieve the current administration's target to ensure inclusive socio-economic
growth.

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The proposed tax reforms of the current administration are laudable especially insofar as
increasing the net income of the middle class by reducing individual income tax base. But taxation Search ...
is not only a means to generate revenues, it is also a tool to develop and grow industries that are

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines

relevant and sustainable especially in areas where there are less jobs and opportunities. Across
the globe, developing countries use tax incentives as a means to attract direct foreign investments
to solve unemployment, engage in technology transfer and intensify development of preferred
industries.

VISION PROGRAMS
Today, the Philippines ICT the
is among Summit DCP-eGOV
global leaders Awards jobs,
for ICT-enabled MEMBERS RESOURCES
because of our very CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
strong customer service culture, excellent English communication skills and high-level of digital
literacy. But above all, from the countryside perspective, the Philippines has leveraged on the
strength and potential of its non-metropolis locations or provinces which abound with talent.
Seventy percent of the country's graduates are outside of Metro Manila and because of the
attractive national tax incentives and the dynamism of provincial locations through its respective
ICT councils, ICT-BPM companies have started to set up in Tier 2 and 3 cities, thereby creating the
necessary jobs and investment opportunities. Real estate facilities such as ICT parks and centers
accredited under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority has begun to flourish in the provinces
and thus stimulating the real estate and allied businesses. Because of the thousands of jobs
generated by these companies outside of Metro Manila, the growth of support services such as
food, transportation, health services, housing and other ancillary services have all increased. The
educational sector has been continuously upgrading its quality due to the global requirements.
Filipino entrepreneurs have begun to set of up their own companies to also share in the ever
increasing global demand for services and digital products. Many provinces have followed the lead
of industry associations in creating ecosystems for high value ICT services such as animation,
game development, health care information management, finance and accounting, software
development, and many other complex segments.

By reducing or removing the current set of tax incentives for ICT-BPM companies - the most
affected segment is the provincials locations which currently take advantage of national incentives
under a centralized government structure.

Introducing VAT on BPO services could have very damaging repercussions for growth, expansion
and sustainability of this industry in the countryside. The inevitable implication for BPO services will
be an increase in cost, affecting employees current benefits, and any form of expansion and at
worst, for them to explore low-cost economies for their BPO operations.

It is our most humble appeal that the government retain the current incentive package of the ICT-
BPM industry and encourage their expansion in provincial location. In the alternative, we appeal
that these companies be allowed tax deductions for any relevant talent development programs it
will invest in to grow and ensure the quality of talent in the countryside.

We fully support the goal of the current administration to create jobs and investments for inclusive
and together with the government, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) and all
its member ICT councils vow to contribute ONE MILLION ICT JOBS by 2022 in the countryside.

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National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)

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Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue

National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
Head, NICP Public Sector and Policy Committee

VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Stephanie Rosalind R. Caragos

President, NICP

More Articles ...

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VICTOR Celebrates 6 Years of Countryside ICT Innovation in

Aklan by Zion Campo, PRO, Bohol ICT Council
Date Posted: Feb. 07, 2018 06:50:24
Local Information Communications & Technology (ICT) councils around the Philippines are packing
their bulgy bags and heading to Aklan this February 22-23, 2018 at Sampaguita Garden, New
Washington, Aklan not to party on the white sandy beaches of...

1 0

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NICP To Help Boost Countryside ICT Job Share

Date Posted: Jan. 15, 2018 14:44:46

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Countryside champions aims to capture fifty percent of the direct jobs from the additional 700,000 new
Search ...
jobs in information and communications technology (ICT) as targeted by the Philippine IT Roadmap
2022.
National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
This translates to about 350,000 new jobs...

2 0

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VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

LOCAL FIRM INVESTS IN MIXED ECOZONE FOR ORMIN -

Dedicates park to every aspiring Mindoreno towards a Future-
Ready Mindoro
Date Posted: Nov. 06, 2017 15:19:34
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, November 6, 2017– A big local developer in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro,
Sotera Development Group (SDG) broke ground recently to mark the start of the construction for Sotera
San Antonio at Calapan City, Oriental...

85 1

READ MORE

Members

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VISION PROGRAMS ICT Summit DCP-eGOV Awards MEMBERS RESOURCES CONTACT US NEXT WAVE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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