DAVAO CITY (PIA) — Belinda Torres, the Chief Executive Office and president of Jobs eSolutions and the current executive vice president of ICT Davao, was installed on December 6 as the new president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (DCCCII).
Torres, an advocate of job generation through providing access to training and education, commits to bringing her advocacy as president of the DCCCII.
“Both worlds of education and ICT have charted my desire and aspirations to be in education as a service entrepreneur through my company. Along the way, I became an advocate for job generation and job creation, seeing what the business community can do for the people and the economy,” Torres said in her acceptance speech at the installation ceremonies held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Before becoming chamber president, Torres served as the DCCCII executive vice president for the ICT sector. She was a DCCCII trustee from 2015 until her election as president. Torres reiterated the four pillars under past president John Carlo Tria, which are: business promotion, policy advocacy, capacity building, and information exchange.
“These pillars have guided us in the work at hand, making sure the organization is all on the same page,” Torres said.
Davao Region Development Plan
Torres said she will work to make the chamber’s mission and vision come to fruition with the current needs of the economy.
“Let me anchor with the Davao Region Development Plan 2023-2028 goals. The DRDP aims to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the Philippine economy to its high growth trajectory,” Torres said.
One of the goals of the DRDP and the PDP is to create better and more resilient jobs, which resonates with Torres’ advocacy.
In an earlier interview, Torres said the Davao ICT sector aims to double the current ICT workforce in Davao from 75,000 to 150,000.
She said that one job in the ICT sector indirectly produces three jobs in different ancillary sectors like food and transportation.
Torres bared her grand vision for next year, which is to accelerate prosperity not just within the community but on a global scale.
“This is a commitment that needs vision, collaboration, and unwavering dedication,” Torres said.
She mentioned four key drivers essential to achieving the mission, which include external relations, digital transformation, innovation, and human capital development.
“In this era of interconnectivity, we understand that our impact extends beyond our community by forging strong external relations. We aim to unlock new opportunities for our members,” Torres said.
She said that opportunities can be opened through facilitating trade partnerships and collaborations with other chambers and discovering new markets globally.
“Digital transformation is not just a necessity but an imperative,” she said in her speech.
“By adopting cutting-edge technology, which includes smart systems, harnessing the power of data analytics, investing in cyber security, and other tools and strategies to navigate the evolving digital landscape, we can
enhance efficiency, reduce costs and open up new avenues for growth,” Torres said.
She said that in the age of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and an ever-changing business climate, the role of the workforce is evolving in whatever sector.
“We must invest in our people’s skills, knowledge, and adaptability to ensure that they are equipped for the future of work,” Torres said.
This means providing training, mentorship, and resources to empower the workforce.
“Together, we can address the challenges and opportunities that the future holds, ensuring our members and the business community are well-prepared for success,” Torres said. (JBG/RGA/PIA Davao)
