BAGUIO CITY — A diverse crowd of students, micro and small enterprise (MSE) owners, and working professionals convened at the University of Baguio’s FGB Hall on November 15, 2025, for a seminar titled “Freelancing for Starters: How to Build a Career from What You Already Know.”
Organized by the UB School of Information Technology (SIT) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DICT-CAR), the event served as a bridge between the academe, the government, and the local business sector, offering crucial insights into the rapidly evolving gig economy.
A key highlight of the seminar was DICT’s presentation of its flagship capacity-building frameworks designed to support the country’s digital transition.
Representatives spotlighted the DICT 8M Jobs Initiative, a strategic push aiming to create millions of digital jobs in the countryside by upskilling the Filipino workforce. Complementing this, the agency introduced the SPARK Program (Stimulating Partnerships and Access to Resources and Knowledge).
Through these initiatives, the DICT emphasized its commitment to providing training modules, resource access, and support systems to help freelancers and digital professionals adapt to the demands of the international online job market.
While initially targeted at IT students, the seminar drew significant interest from the broader Baguio community. The theme, “How to Build a Career from What You Already Know,” resonated across varied demographics. For students, it offered a roadmap to monetize technical skills using SPARK resources before graduation. For professionals and MSE owners, it provided strategies for digital pivoting, helping them leverage the 8M Jobs ecosystem to expand their market reach or supplement their income.
The event underscored a strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in fostering inclusive economic growth and lifelong learning. By equipping MSE owners and freelancers with the tools to adapt to the online market through the DICT 8M Jobs Initiative, the seminar directly drives SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), ensuring economic resilience in the region. Furthermore, the integration of the SPARK Program supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by bridging the technical skills gap and increasing the employability of youth and adults alike. Underpinning these efforts is the embodiment of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), where the strategic collaboration between the University of Baguio and the DICT demonstrates how multi-stakeholder cooperation can effectively boost the local digital economy.
By hosting this event at the FGB Hall, the University of Baguio reaffirmed its role as a community hub for innovation. Through the introduction of the DICT 8M Jobs and SPARK initiatives, the seminar successfully demystified the freelance landscape, empowering students and local entrepreneurs to become active, competitive participants in the global digital economy.
