18/06/2025
📌 TekWorx.Digital at DICT’s ASCEND Learning Session
TekWorx.Digital’s Founder Bert Padilla joined DICT’s ASCEND: Digital Workers to Digital Agency Owners event in Bayawan City on June 5, 2025.
He led the session “How to Sustain a Digital Agency,” sharing TekWorx’s journey since 2012 and insights on leadership, operations, partnerships, and growth — all focused on helping freelancers become successful agency owners.
The ASCEND program is part of DICT’s push to create more digital jobs and promote homegrown BPOs across the country.
𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓'𝐬 𝐀𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐏𝐎 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to create more jobs in the ICT field and to promote and strengthen inclusive digital transformation and empower all Filipinos through the use of technology, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), conducted the first leg of “ASCEND: Digital Workers to Digital Agency Owners” on June 05, 2025 at the Puregold Cinema I, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
Carrying the theme “Digital Workers to Homegrown BPO Owners,” the ASCEND program presents an opportunity for seasoned online professionals and freelancers to transition their careers to become entrepreneurs and establish their own digital agencies to boost digital job opportunities in the countryside. With its goal of empowering and enabling online freelancers to elevate their careers as entrepreneurs, provide higher income opportunities and business opportunities the industry offers.
In his welcome message, Officer-in-Charge DICT-Region-VII Director, Engr. Ramil Jeff Taboso IIDB shared his immense pride in Bayawan City's achievements, attributing its progress to the passion, ingenuity, initiative of its townsfolk, and the hard work and public service drive of its officials, along with their relentless support.
“ The ASCEND aims to unlock digital opportunities for Bayawan's talented workforce. We hope that our "digital bayanihan" will ensure that no one is left behind in the digital economy and will pave the way for Bayawanons as homegrown BPO owners” said OIC Regional Dir. Taboso.
Meanwhile IIDB Director III, Jhino Ilano presented the DICT’s interventions and support in strengthening the growth of the online freelancing industry through the Empowering Digital Workers of the Gig Industry Ecosystem in the Philippines (EDGE PH) program. Dir. Ilano highlights DICT’s commitment to fostering a digital-first economy and creating jobs.
Bayawan City’s own ICT head Engr. Edward Torreda presented the city's advancements in “Digital Transformation”, these includes the installation of fiber optics and long-range Wi-Fi radios in 2015, and the presence of PEZA-approved locators like Ace General Hospital. He also emphasized Bayawan's advocacy and commitment to ICT industry development by empowering online freelancers.
The activity featured successful freelancers turned agency owners who shared their journey, challenges, and best practices for building, growing, and sustaining a digital agency. Among them are Mr. Ruben Licera Jr., CEO and Founder of ESTRAT 360 Marketing Company who presented "How to Build a Digital Agency." Mr. Licera illuminated market trends and demands in online freelancing, strategies for finding and building the right team, and the importance of identifying a niche or specialization. Meanwhile CEO and Founder of Scale Experts Inc., Ms. Pamela Ann Baluyo expertly presented "How to Grow a Digital Agency," drawing from her company's journey through its "struggle years" to significant growth, Ms. Baluyo outlined comprehensive strategies for scaling a digital agency.
The discussion of tax and legal matters was covered by Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist from DTI Negros Oriental, Mr. Anton Gabila, in the session of "How to Build a Digital Agency" he focused on crucial aspects of business compliance and fair labor practices. His presentation provided essential information on business registration, permits, and compliances for aspiring agency owners, detailing the necessary steps for registering sole proprietorships and corporations with DTI or SEC and other necessary government issued documents.
The fourth and final session, "How to Sustain a Digital Agency," was delivered by Mr. Bert Padilla, Founder and Owner of TekWorx.Digital. Covering TekWorx's journey since its inception in 2012, Mr. Padilla shared valuable insights into managing and growing a digital agency, now diversified into e-commerce, digital transformation, ad operations, and web hosting. His presentation focused on two critical areas: Leadership Management and Operations, and Networking and Partnership.
Since 2017, DICT has supported the online freelancing industry through its Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) and Digital Jobs Training programs. With this, RIS 2018 alumna Ms. Jacqueline Acabo, a seasoned Brand Specialist and Web Designer at Heartcorework and Kaleidoscope V delivered a powerful testimonial at ASCEND, sharing her transformative journey from online freelancer to a successful hoegrown BPO owner.
Attended by Bayawanons and even residents from nearby municipalities of Negros Oriental, the ASCEND program was lauded by the local government representatives, freelancers and other individuals present during the session. Participants appreciated the holistic approach of the event, which covered various aspects of running a digital agency beyond just the creative and technical skills, the event provided a well-rounded perspective necessary for the successful management of a digital agency.
At present, DICT's EDGE PH Program continues DICT’s commitment to strengthening the gig economy, by actively promoting opportunities in online freelancing to provide Filipino talents with higher-income prospects and producing quality jobs online especially with DICT’s goal towards 8 Million Digital Jobs by 2028.
