Since 2015, the Knights of Online Marketers (KOM) has been an active Strategic Partner and Industry Collaborator of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Field Operations Office Mindanao Cluster III (FOO-MC3) under the firm leadership of Cluster Director Alimbzar Azum, CESO V.
It was during the ICT Multi-stakeholders’ Forum and BIMP-EAGA Livelihood Exchange, held August 20, 2015, at SMX Convention Center when KOM started to collaborate with the cluster in promoting digital opportunities using information and communications technology. The partnership then continued by an invitation to be the Resource Person to talk about the Rural Impact Sourcing Initiative Programs during the Davao del Norte ICT Multistakeholders’ Forum held March 20, 2016, at the Provincial Capitol of Davao del Norte. After which, series of events where organized having KOM and DICT Mindanao Cluster III (MC 3) as Industry Partners.
January 2017 when MC3 organized and facilitated a roadshow aiming to promote job employment through information and communications technology in the countryside. Since the objectives are also aligned with the advocacy-based mission of the Knights of Online Marketers, a public-partnership was initiated. Hence, the start of the “Virtual Assistant Orientation Program (VAOP) Roadshow” with local government units as a support system.
BRIEF: The Virtual Assistant Orientation Program (VAOP) of KOM
The Virtual Assistant Orientation Program (VAOP), or otherwise known as the “Virtual Assistant Boot Camp: How to Work and Do Business Online,” is a regular event of the Knights of Online Marketers (KOM), where the KOM Academy, its Academic Division providing training for online services, will conduct a general orientation on how to work and do business online to different regions and cities of the Philippines in partnership with public and private organizations.
The Virtual Assistant Orientation Program (VAOP), generally concentrates on giving the right knowledge to the public as to what working online is all about particularly on how to start engaging with this growing profitable industry. This is not just a job and employment opportunity for the participating individual, but it is also a business opportunity for those who desire to establish their own online business, making them competitive both in the local and international market.
WATCH OUR JOURNEY!
The KOM-DICT VAOP Roadshow Started
The Provincial Field Team of DICT Mindanao Cluster 3 identified target cities and municipalities as beneficiaries of the orientation program (arranged alphabetically):
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR
Provincial Field Team Lead: Engr. Elodie Tuquib
| Bansalan | June 6, 2017 | Mayor Quirina Sarte |
| Kiblawan | February 14, 2017 | Mayor Jaime Caminero |
| Magsaysay | February 17, 2017 | Mayor Arthur Davin |
| Malalag | February 15, 2017 | Mayor Peter Paul T. Valentin |
| Matanao | February 16, 2017 | Mayor Vicente Fernandez |
| Padada | March 24, 2017 | Mayor Gladys A. Razonable-Gascon |
| Santa Cruz | February 10, 2017 | Mayor Alexis Almendras |
| Sulop | June 20, 2017 | Mayor Maria Sagarino |
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE
Provincial Field Team Lead: Engr. Eduardo Tuquib
| Asuncion | February 21, 2017 | Mayor Eufracio Dayaday |
| Braulio E. Dujali | March 27, 2017 | Mayor Leah Marie Moral-Romano |
| Carmen | February 13, 2017 | Mayor Marcelino A. Perandos |
| Island Garden City of Samal | January 12, 2017 | Mayor Al David Uy |
| Kapalong | February 20, 2017 | Mayor Maria Theresa Royo-Timbol |
| Panabo City | February 9, 2017 | Mayor James G. Gamao |
| Santo Tomas | March 28, 2017 | Mayor Daniel “Jun” Batosalem Jr. |
| Tagum City | March 29, 2017 | Mayor Allan L. Rellon |
PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL
Provincial Field Team Lead: Engr. Paulette Gevera
| Lupon | April 28, 2017 | Mayor Erlinda Lim |
| Banaybanay | March 14, 2017 | Mayor Adalia Tambuang |
| Mati City | May 8, 2017 | Mayor Carlo Luis P. Rabat |
| San Isidro | April 26, 2017 | Mayor Justina Buenviaje Yu |
PROVINCE OF DAVAO OCCIDENTAL
Provincial Field Team Lead: Engr. Ernie Vargas
| Don Marcelino | March 23, 2017 | Mayor Michael Maruya |
| Malita | June 14, 2017 | Mayor Bradly Bautista Jr. |
| Saranggani (Balut Island) | March 21, 2017 | Mayor Jerry T. Cawa |
PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT
Provincial Field Team Lead: Engr. Ibrahim Guiapar
| Province of Sultan Kudarat | February 23 2017 | Governor Sultan Pax S. Mangudadatu |
As the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), governed and directed by Secretary Atty. Rodolfo Salima, continues to generate more opportunities for Filipinos through their Rural Impact Sourcing Programs, the Knights of Online Marketers (KOM) will continue, as well, to deliver their advocacy-based mission of providing training and developing Filipino workforce of potential IT-BPM talents to ensure constant quality of the services that they can provide to foreign and local clients.