More IT investments eyed for Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – The government is looking at Cebu to host more information and communications technology (ICT)-related investments this year now that investments in Metro Manila have already reached a stage of saturation.

Patricia Abejo, Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Director for the Cyberservices group, said the government looks at Cebu as the “center of excellence,” as it bears all the necessary elements such as manpower and business-friendly business environment required by investors.

Meanwhile, she said CICT is working on teaching students of public high schools in the country the skill of creating 3D images through programs available on the Internet.

Patricia Abejo, CICT’s Director for the Cyberservices group, said CICT is integrating this initiative with its Internet for Public High Schools, which aimed at providing all the 5, 000 public schools in the country with computers laboratories and Internet access.

She said on the sidelines of the opening of Comddap’s Cebu Expo 2010 at the SM City Cebu trade hall last Friday that CICT is fully supporting and embracing the 3D Philippines Initiative (3DPi) of the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines (Comddap).

The initiative encourages Internet savvy Filipinos to maximize applications that help create 3D or augmented images such as the Google SketchUp that are available on the Internet and apply these on creating 3D images of buildings, schools, churches malls and tourist attractions among others.

Comddap’s vice president Salvador Latrilla earlier said the objective of the advocacy is to create a complete and usable 3D virtual world of the Philippines on Google Earth. This virtual world will be helpful to government officials in their planning, among others, for future infrastructure and building.

“This is very easy with the needed applications such as the Google SketchUp available on the web. Anybody can do a 3D model of their building, school, house and restaurant and upload this to Google,” he said.

CICT’s Abejo said CICT “believes so much” in this initiative, as this will also showcase on the Internet the Filipino creativity.

“And we want to start (honing) this creativity among our high school students (not only the private sector but) those in public schools (as well,)” she said.

Many Internet-savvy individuals and organizations across the globe have maximized Google SketchUp and created 3D virtual models of their city or property. For the Philippines , 3D models of Malacanang sa Sugbu and University of the Philippines Diliman, among others are already on Google Earth.

Aside from planning and decision-making, a 3D virtual model of a city, for example, can help its LGU officials design security and crime prevention plans and assist new investors on where to best locate their businesses.

The tourism industry is also one of the many industries that can benefit if there are available 3D models of the country’s historical spots as this will help create interest in the country. The virtual city will also help tourists in the country find their way through.