Koronadal ICT Council

10/04/2026

𝗞𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧

𝗞𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 — The Koronadal ICT Council, led by Co-Chair Christian Valeen Chiu, paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Erlinda P. Araquil to align priorities for the city’s digital transformation.

A key direction raised during the meeting is the adoption of a real-time digital dashboard for the Mayor’s office. This system will allow departments to report live data, improving decision-making, transparency, and the city’s ability to respond quickly to emerging issues.

The council also proposed the development of a local job and investment portal designed to match skills with opportunities within the city. Beyond employment, the platform aims to give potential investors a clear view of Koronadal’s available talent base, helping position the city as a competitive destination for digital and tech-driven industries.

To support long-term growth, the city is also reviewing its investment incentive framework. The shift focuses on attracting ICT, creative, and innovation-driven enterprises, moving beyond traditional sectors.

On the services side, practical digital solutions were introduced, including cashless payment systems for public facilities and the digitization of selected government processes. These aim to improve efficiency, reduce leakages, and make everyday transactions easier for citizens.

Mayor Erlinda Pabi-Araquil welcomed the collaboration and underscored the need to keep pace with technology. With stronger public and private sector alignment, Koronadal is positioning itself as an AI-ready, Smart City in SOX.

📸: Sean Calvo

16/03/2026

𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼 𝗨. 𝗢𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗮

Koronadal ICT Council Co-Chair Christian Valeen Chiu visited the wake of the late Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena to personally pay his respects and honor the legacy of a leader who helped shape the City of Koronadal’s path toward innovation and digital progress.

During the visit, Christian was received by Mrs. Cristy Cataluña Ogena, the widow of Mayor Ogena, who graciously welcomed him as he expressed the Koronadal ICT Council’s gratitude for the mayor’s support for technology and digital development initiatives in the city.

Mayor Ogena’s leadership played an important role in strengthening Koronadal’s digital direction. During his term, he approved Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2023, which formally created the Information and Communications Technology Council of the City of Koronadal. This opened the door for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing the city’s digital ecosystem. 

We asked Christian how he would describe Mayor Ogena’s role in supporting the growth of ICT and digital innovation in Koronadal.

“𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘳 𝘖𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘊𝘛 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘰.”

Reflecting on the mayor’s leadership, Christian also shared what left the strongest impression on him.

“𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘳 𝘖𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘢’𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘏𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺.”

The Koronadal ICT Council extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mayor Ogena. His vision of a forward looking Koronadal that welcomes innovation, collaboration, and opportunity continues to guide the work being carried forward today.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙧 𝙊𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙖. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙡’𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.

14/03/2026

𝗖𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗡, 𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗢 – The inaugural Cotabato ICT Summit, held on March 2–3, 2026 at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Commercial Building and Auditorium, marked an important milestone in advancing the region’s digital innovation ecosystem. Organized by the Cotabato Academe-Private Sector Technology Alliance for Learning, Innovation, Science & Technopreneurship (CATALIST) in partnership with USM, the summit carried the theme “Digital Innovation Empowering Inclusive Growth in Cotabato Province.”

The two-day event gathered government leaders, academic institutions, technology advocates, students, and industry experts to exchange insights on how technology, talent development, and infrastructure can drive inclusive economic growth and digital transformation in Mindanao.

This initiative reflects the growing momentum among local stakeholders to strengthen the countryside digital ecosystem, nurture future-ready talent, and expand opportunities for ICT-enabled industries across emerging regional hubs.

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

One of the summit’s key plenary speakers, Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, highlighted the importance of building a strong digital workforce ecosystem for Cotabato. She emphasized the need for closer collaboration among government, academe, and the private sector to ensure that graduates are equipped with skills aligned with the evolving needs of the ICT and IT-BPM industries.

Wilmark Econar, Founder of Wilvalue Inc., discussed the evolving landscape of digital marketing and artificial intelligence, reminding participants that while AI can enhance productivity, human values remain essential. He emphasized that AI cannot replace character, integrity, and discipline, encouraging professionals to view AI as a tool for growth rather than a competitor.

Meanwhile, Michael L. Aguirre, Managing Partner of UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co., explored the growing role of AI and automation in modern finance, emphasizing how technology allows organizations to unlock productivity and empower professionals to focus on higher-value work.

Focusing on innovation and technopreneurship, Peng Sumarago, Founder of Mugna Tech, encouraged aspiring innovators to pursue purpose-driven ventures that contribute to community development. He emphasized that building a strong innovation ecosystem begins with grassroots collaboration and sustained support for local founders.

Addressing the importance of digital infrastructure, Jon Sta. Ana of Ignite Telecoms underscored the role of reliable connectivity and sustainable digital infrastructure in enabling remote work, digital services, and technology-driven enterprises across the region.

𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

A highlight of the summit was the Pitching Competition, where students and technopreneurs from Higher Education Institutions presented innovative digital solutions addressing real-world challenges. The competition served as a platform to encourage creativity, innovation, and problem-solving among the region’s emerging tech talents.

Serving as one of the evaluators, Clint Kristoffer Junsay, Vice President for Marketing and Communications of Eulap Digital Corp., provided valuable insights and mentorship to participating teams, encouraging them to continue developing scalable digital solutions.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

The program officially opened with remarks from CATALIST President Ms. Jeanette Toledo, followed by a welcome address from Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel.

Messages of support were also delivered by Governor Emmylou Taliño Mendoza, Vice Governor Rochella Marie T. Taray, and Kabacan Mayor Evangeline Pascua-Guzman, reaffirming the province’s commitment to advancing digital innovation and technology-driven development.

The summit also highlighted the importance of regional collaboration among ICT councils, with the presence of Koronadal ICT Council Co-Chair Christian Valeen Chiu and South Cotabato ICT Council Co-Chair Clint Junsay.

Their participation underscores the shared vision of ICT leaders in the region to strengthen partnerships, promote talent development, and expand opportunities for ICT-enabled industries across Mindanao.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼

Events like the Cotabato ICT Summit demonstrate how collaboration among government, academe, and industry can accelerate digital transformation in emerging regional hubs.

Through continued partnerships and initiatives that support talent development, digital innovation, and technology entrepreneurship, the region moves closer to building a vibrant and sustainable digital economy that empowers communities and creates opportunities for the next generation of innovators.

📸: Catalist

09/03/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗼 𝗚𝗶𝗱 𝗡𝗴𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁, 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼 “𝗕𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘁” 𝗨. 𝗢𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗮.

As Chairperson of the Koronadal ICT Council, your leadership and steadfast support helped strengthen the vision of transforming Koronadal into a thriving digital city. Your belief in innovation, collaboration, and the power of technology opened doors for opportunities that empower our people and grow our local economy.

Because of your guidance and commitment, the ICT community continues to move forward in building a future-ready Koronadal, aligned with the city’s aspiration to become a hub for digital innovation and ICT-driven development.

Your legacy will always remain in the progress we continue to build.

𝘼 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙡’𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.

📸: Sean Studios

28/08/2025

Proud that Koronadal will host the Mindanao Business Conference 2027! A great opportunity to showcase our strengths, attract investments, and drive growth for Mindanao.

Koronadal, South Cotabato, has been selected to host the Mindanao Business Conference 2027. This serves as a significant platform to highlight the collective strengths of Koronadal City and South Cotabato in driving progress and growth across Mindanao. Follow our page for the latest updates and announcements.