TUDELA, Misamis Occidental (PIA) -- Misamis Occidental marked another milestone in the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Landscape for Advancement and Knowledge (SIDLAK) Initiative by being the first province in the region to benefit from the programs and projects launched by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on February 26. 

To bring connectivity and inclusiveness to the province, DICT recently launched the SIDLAK Initiative in partnership with the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental and the Municipality of Tudela. The project was inaugurated in Barangay Namut, Covered Court, Tudela town, where the provincial WiFi was also launched. 

Governor Henry S. Oaminal (represented by Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez), DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, DICT-10 Regional Director Sittie Rahma Alawi, DICT-10 OIC Chief-Technical Operations Division Eugene Raposala III, and other municipal officials and board members were present at the event. 

During the event, Sec. Uy vowed to strengthen DICT’s efforts to provide fast, free, and secure Internet access to the Misamisnons, providing them access to data that they can transform into opportunities for progress and growth. 

“Despite the distance of Barangay Namut, nianhi mi dinhi to deliver the Wi-Fi connectivity. Para sa ako nga usa ka Misamisnon, walay barangay sa Misamis Occidental nga layo, and my goal is that before this administration ends, every barangay in Misamis Occidental should be connected. We will work on that together with the provincial government,” he said. 

Uy expressed his gratitude to Oaminal for his support of various development projects in the province. 

“We can only be successful with the help of the ever-hardworking Governor Henry S. Oaminal, who has always supported many development projects in the province. I see so much development of roads; never before have I seen any roads that connect to the inner areas of Misamis Occidental. It is always in coastal areas, cities, and municipalities along the coast. but today I see so much access towards Mt. Malindang and I see development,’’ he shared. 

For her part, DICT-10 Regional Director Sittie Rahma Alawi said that DICT is here to celebrate something amazing and bring the power of ICT directly to the communities. SIDLAK is here to bridge the gap connecting people to a role of information, education, and endless possibilities. 

“Katuwang po natin sa paghahatid ng proyektong ito ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Misamis Occidental at ang Local na Pamahalaan ng Tudela. Ito ay dahil naniniwala kami na ang lahat ay karapat dapat mabigyan ng pagkakataon matuto, umunlad at magtagumpay saan man sila nakatira. Nagsisimula palang tayo, soon more schools and barangays will have this gift; together, we can bridge the gap between those who have an internet connection and those who don’t,’’ she said. 

Oaminal claimed that the Asenso administration and DICT collaborated to make Misamis Occidental a digitally enhanced and transformed province in the area under the direction of the 5Ms development thrust. Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez represented Oaminal. 

Meanwhile, Namut Barangay Captain Reynaldo Manday expressed gratitude to DICT and the province of Misamis Occidental for the opportunities for programs and projects given to his barangay. 

“Dako kayo mi'g kalipay tungod kay ang amoang mga Kabataan ug ang mga ginikanan ma kwa-an na ang ilang gasto kay kasagara adunay project nga importante sa skwelahan maghulog paman gyud ta ug kwarta ayha ta maka connect. Dako kayo kog pasalamat sa atong DICT Secretary Uy kauban sa atong halandong Gobernador Henry S. Oaminal, Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez ug sa mga board members, mayor, vice mayor ug Sangguniang Bayan sa atong lungsod sa gihatag ninyo nga opportunidad isip usa ka proyekto para sa Barangay Tongo, Namut,’’ he added. 

The project aims to provide access to internet services in the barangay and other parts of the province, including indigenous community areas, for the convenience and availability of the locals. 

This initiative is expected to bring significant benefits to the community, particularly in terms of information dissemination, education, and economic opportunities. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)