Sixteen internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi City completed the Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Technical Training for Social Media Marketing and Advertising spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the city government of Marawi.

A total of 127 took the examination and interview for screening of trainees; 25 were chosen as scholars for the training while 16 have successfully completed the course.

The month-long training aims to equip the IDP-scholars with relevant information and communication technology skills and talents to help them with job opportunities online or in Information Technology Business Process Management Industry.

The training module includes social media presence creation, content plan and calendar, content creation, advertising and community engagement. The scholars  had undergone practical exercises which include 21-day campaign wherein they created digital campaign strategies for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.  

Director Alimbzar  Asum of DICT Mindanao Cluster 3 explained that the training can help the scholars acquire ICT skills. 

“Nagtrain tayo para maenhance ang ICT skills nila wherein pwede sila maging online workers or freelancer [We trained them to enhance their ICT skills wherein they could be online workers or freelancers],” he said.

Jessica Madrazo, accredited trainer from DICT, shared that the trainees had struggles with slow internet connection but were able to complete their tasks.

“Sana you [I hope you] will share the concern of your fellowmen and help spread information and knowledge you have,” Madrazo said.

Sittie Norjehan Macapundag, one of the graduates and recognized as one of the outstanding trainees, expressed her gratitude. 

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa DICT kasi mas nagbigay pa ng pag-asa sa amin na kaya naming tumayo at makisabay sa ibang area na may mas mabilis na internet connection [Thank you very much to DICT because the training gave us hope that we can recover and can work like those who are in other areas that have faster internet connection.],” she said.

Equipped with skills and knowledge from the training, Macapundag is now working online with a client from Algeria. Among the trainees, she is the only one who was able to get a client abroad.    

With efforts to contribute in the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City, DICT has rolled out ICT projects as means for addressing the problem in unemployment rate of Marawi City as part of their contribution for the recovery and rehabilitation of the City. (LEAntonio-PIA ICCC).

This article was originally published on pia.gov.ph on October 25, 2018.
Written by: Lou Ellen L. Antonio