New CICT chair undergoes week-long briefing

By Lawrence Casiraya - INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- On his third day on the job, Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) chair Ray Anthony Roxas Chua said he is in for a week's worth of briefing.

The 31 year-old Chua attended today's inauguration rites by call center firm ICT Group. He was asked up onstage but in his speech, he made clear that he was still in the process of dipping his toes on being the top ICT person in government.

He did, however, offer a few thoughts on the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

"BPO is one of the brightest growth spots in the country's economy,” he said. “Further growth will depend on untapped areas outside of Metro Manila."

Chua, whose appointment was announced in August by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but officially started work only last Monday, might as well be bracing himself for constant interaction with the local BPO sector.

The so-called Cyberservices Corridor project has been championed by President Arroyo herself, with the CICT spearheading it. This initiative maps out cities and provinces that are potential destinations for BPO investors.

Asked in an interview what current or future projects he initially wants to pursue, Chua declined to comment, adding he is being briefed on the nature of the work that awaits him at CICT.

Chua said he has worked with several tech firms in Silicon Valley in the US before returning to the country to attend to his family's manufacturing business.