Tagaytay City’s serene surroundings set the stage for the 2-day KEC19 Training on "Empowering Futures: Building Capacities and Connecting Communities," held at Summit Ridge Hotel from July 25-26, 2024. This event, a part of PhilCeCNet’s capability-building program, brought together Local Chief Executives, FITS Center Managers, Knowledge Managers, and eCenter stakeholders from across the Philippines to advance development through modern information and communications technologies (ICT4D).

The event opened with a welcoming message from Tagaytay City Mayor Hon. Abraham N. Tolentino, emphasizing the role of ICT4D in local governance and community development. Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, UPOU Director of the Office of Public Affairs, followed with an insightful presentation on Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on their significance at the local level.

A central feature of the training was the “Marketplace of Ideas”—a dynamic platform celebrating local ingenuity within Community eCenters (CeCs). This forum enabled participants to share experiences, network, and showcase innovative solutions that CeCs have developed to tackle various community issues. It also identified successful, scalable business models that could be replicated across regions. ATI-RTC XII, along with the Bagumbayan FITS Center, presented programs aimed at enhancing farmer and community knowledge through training and the Techno Gabay Program (TGP), with insights from Mr. John Lord Auman and Ms. Lochie Loraña.

ATI-RTC XII’s booth, stocked with valuable agri-fishery IEC materials, provided a practical resource for attendees to access relevant information. Seven delegates from Region XII's FITS Centers, representing Bagumbayan, Tacurong City, and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, participated, each bringing regional expertise to the collaborative environment.

The “Empowering Futures” training successfully fostered an environment of shared knowledge, networking, and innovative problem-solving to address community challenges, ensuring a bright future for ICT-driven development in the Philippines.