Information Technology (IT) reshaped businesses here in the region. It not only gives access to information outside the country in a more efficient way but also provide employment.

Davao may not yet identify as an IT City, but it has potential to become one considering  the increasing number of IT related businesses.

"We are much on the way up. We have moved from recruitment center for contact center to contact center destination and more contact center will still be coming here," said Simeon Marfori, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (DCCCII).

Marfori said Davao has already IT companies engaged in outsourcing, graphic designs, and website developments.

"They wouldn't be coming here if we weren't developed," he said.

He said DCCCII is eyeing to make Davao City an ICT hub in Mindanao five years from now but in order to accomplish it, there should be telecommunication infrastructure, skilled manpower, and educational sector to sustain the manpower- as a requirement to achieve the vision.

He also said Davao is now using the business process outsourcing. He said to fully develop the business infrastructures, real estate buildings, and accessibility are needed.

"Kailangan nandito din iyong nagbibigay ng certification and standards confirming the international standards," he said.

Marfori said the presence of ICT companies here have contributed to the growth of development. ICT companies develop software, provide internet service, web programming and development, graphics and animation.

ICT Davao is composed of seven associations recognized by DCCCII such as Brokenshire Learning System Inc., with its line of service Offshore transcription and outsourcing services, business incubation, and software solutions; Cyber City Teleservices Philippines, Inc. (Call Center Services, Business Process Outsourcing); Link2Support (Call Center); Mindanao Center for Research and Development (Research and Development); MOZCOM Inc. (Internet Service Provider); Mynd Tech Management Services (Information Technology), and SmartLink System Inc.

Real estate firms have also take advantage of IT for more efficient and reliable services. They are Alsons Development and Investment Corporation and Davao Orchard Road Inc.

"We want ICT to start the growth of development and we help them to make it happen," Marfori said.

Marfori said the demand for IT practitioners is very high and are still growing because the world is now digitized and Davao is ready to meet the demand  as long as students are trained properly.

He said call centers have also contributed to the development. Call centers like Elecare Davao Career Center, Link2Support, PeopleSupport, Six Eleven Global Solutions, Cyber City Teleservices (Phils.) Inc., Global Connect Solutions, Sutherland Global Services, Surecruit Services Inc., among others are active in providing employment to the unemployed.

"Everything  to be digitized, the only way to make changes in Davao to our liking is to be part of theb change. The change is always there, it's up to us if we embrace it to make our lives better," he said

Peace and security is among the priority programs of the City Government of Davao. For more efficient and reliable  rescue service, Davao City has adopted the same service of Rescue 911 in the US.

Called Central 911 or the Central Communication and Emergency Response Center, it uses special computer software to help authorities respond during emergencies and to help in fighting crime and lawlessness in Davao City.

The only one in the Philippines, Central 911 uses the Geographic and Information System called the Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (ECAD) to help authorities locate the origin of emergency calls.

"Central 911 is a good example of what technology is all about," Marfori said.