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.

New CICT chair to report in October

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- The newly appointed chair of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) will report next month, an executive of the agency told INQUIRER.net Friday.

For more than a month since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named Ray Anthony Roxas Chua as the new chair of the CICT, he has not yet reported to his government post.

"I was told that he will report next month," said CICT Commissioner Tim Diaz de Rivera, currently acting as officer-in-charge of the agency.

Diaz de Rivera was also told that Chua is currently in the United States taking care of some personal business.

Arroyo announced Chua's appointment on August 3, 2007 in Cebu.

Chua will replace former CICT chairman Ramon Sales who took an indefinite leave that led to his resignation for health reasons on June 2007.

Chua is a graduate of Wharton and is in his early 30s. He was appointed by Arroyo because of his background in computer science. He is also affiliated with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce Industry Inc.