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| HAPPY GRADUATION. Ilocos Norte's second batch of DICT RIS graduates pose for posterity with their mentors and local officials on Dec. 2, 2019 at the Provincial Capitol session hall. (Lei Adriano) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—Eighteen trainees from Ilocos Norte graduated
on December 2, 2019 from a 12-day blended learning on digital marketing and
e-commerce course courtesy of the Department of Information and Communications
Technology’s Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Technical Training program.
In a simple graduation ceremony held at the Ilocos Norte
Provincial Capitol, Honey Eileen Julian said she feels more confident now after
going through many sleepless nights to complete the comprehensive technical
program.
“It’s quite fulfilling to finished the program—a survival
of the fittest indeed!” said Ms. Julian saying her experience in digital
marketing along with the small and medium enterprises they work with gave her
new perspective in life.
In partnership with the national and provincial
government, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the DICT RIS
program was conceptualized five years ago to provide more opportunities in the
rural areas through this technical training.
Of the 15 Ilocos Norte trainees who successfully
completed the first batch of the program in 2018, almost all of them are now
working freelance as they work at the comfort of their homes doing online
marketing.
Composed of 35 tasks, each trainee successfully completed
the training course focused on “branding for companies”, “products and services”,
“web development”, “product photography and content writing”, “business blogging”,
“social media content creation”, “building a freelancer profile” and other
related trainings.
They were also taught about “data privacy law”, the cybercrime
law, and “digital marketing ethics”.
Undertaken for almost two months, the training not only
benefited the trainees but also their partner MSMEs where they were given the
opportunity to have online presence and be able to promote their products and
services globally.
To help more Ilocanos maximize their potentials, Wilfredo
Lorenzo, head of the Information Technology office under the Ilocos Norte
provincial government said more training venues will be offered next year to
cover both cities of Batac and Laoag.
“There’s an increasing demand for OFWs or the so-called online
Filipino workers so we hope to expand new sites next year in Batac City and
Laoag City,” said Lorenzo.
In her message, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia
Araneta-Marcos has lauded the graduates and the people behind the training
program for bringing in endless opportunities to local residents.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for you to enhance your
21st century skills. I am excited to see what the world has to offer you as
well as what you can offer to the world. No matter what age or educational
background you may have, I know you can make it,” said Mrs. Marcos as she
wished the new graduates more equitable access to financial security as they
gain more confidence to show their worth in a fast-paced development.
“Your graduation is not the end but the start of your
journey. Always remember that your true value depends on you. Go on a journey
and discover your full potential,” said Sherlane Fortunado, trainer of the DICT
program.
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