ESTANCIA, ILOILO—The Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (RASUC) Region VI-Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council held a two-day meeting on March 12-13, 2025, at Northern Iloilo State University (NISU).
The event’s highlight was the election and oath-taking of new officers who will lead the Council’s digital transformation efforts and oversee preparations for the upcoming National AI Convention in August 2025.
Dr. Bobby D. Gerardo, RASUC VI president and NISU president, officiated the oath-taking ceremony and expressed full support for the CIO Council’s initiatives.
“This convention is an opportunity for Western Visayas to position itself as a leader in AI research and development. RASUC VI is committed to sponsoring this initiative, and we hope the CIO Council will take the lead in making the region a major AI hub in the Philippines,” Gerardo said.
He emphasized that the convention will showcase the region’s growing AI capabilities and ICT infrastructure.
The Council is considering branding the first National AI Convention as “AICon @ ICON,” as it will be held at the Iloilo Convention Center in five months.
The event will feature AI research presentations, exhibitions, and a hackathon, drawing over 300 researchers, experts, educators, and innovators.
RASUC VI has tasked the CIO Council with organizing the event, and participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) have committed to sending at least 30 participants each.
Ahead of the convention, the CIO Council will meet with RASUC VI on March 26, 2025, to finalize roles, focusing on international participation and global AI advancements.
Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
Day 1 of the meeting centered on cybersecurity, with insights from Sangfor Technologies, Globe Business, and Strategic Synergy Inc.
The discussion emphasized that while achieving 100% cybersecurity is impossible, prevention and system enhancements are key to institutional success.
The session highlighted the need for stronger digital defenses in educational institutions as part of broader digital transformation efforts.
Newly elected CIO Council Chairperson Dr. Louie Cervantes, an AI specialist, called for collaboration and innovation.
“Education empowers Filipinos to shape a better future. By collaborating, we can strengthen digital systems to better equip students, faculty, and communities for what lies ahead,” Cervantes said.
He underscored the Council’s role in driving digital transformation across various industries.
New CIO Council Officers for 2025-2026
- Chairperson: Dr. Louie Cervantes (WVSU: Director, MIS Office)
- Vice Chairperson: Prof. Anrem Balontong (NISU: Director, ICTO)
- Secretary: Dr. Herman Lagon (ISUFST: CIO and PAMMCO Director)
- Treasurer: Dr. Rodolfo Doromal Jr. (ASU: IT Officer, Data Privacy Officer, and CIO)
- Auditor: Atty. Zarian Lyn Gasapo (NISU: CIO, Information Officer 3, and Director of Information Unit)
- Board Members:
- Prof. Roy Vera Cruz (UA: Network Administrator, Resiliency and Futures Thinking Unit Director)
- Prof. Reynard Chu (ISATU: Director, Management Information System and Electronic Data Processing)
Plans for Digital Governance and Future Meetings
The Council outlined major plans to ensure compliance with DICT requirements, including discussions on:
- Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP)
- ICT Disaster Recovery Plans
- Data Privacy Protection Initiatives
These measures align with the Council’s goal of advancing digital governance and improving ICT systems in SUCs across the region.
The next CIO Council meeting is set for April at Aklan State University-Kalibo Campus, where planning for the AI Convention and other initiatives will continue.
The CIO Council held its first exploratory meeting on Jan. 17, 2025, at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U).
Representatives from 10 SUCs in Western Visayas gathered to discuss strategies for driving digital transformation in education at the local level. (Herman Lagon, Alvin Patiam, and Patrick Lance Nacion/PAMMCO)
