The Digital Transformation Summit, held at the prestigious Conrad Manila in Manila, Philippines on the 16th of June, served as a platform for exploring the immense potential of digital technologies to reshape industries, businesses, and individuals’ lives. The summit successfully convened a diverse and distinguished gathering of thought leaders, industry experts, and technology enthusiasts from all corners of the country.

Under the theme of “THE DX STRATEGIES FOR A ‘DIGITAL EVERYTHING’ WORLD,” the summit showcased the Philippines’ determination to harness the full potential of technology to drive economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and foster inclusive development. The event provided a platform for participants to gain valuable insights into emerging digital trends, exchange innovative ideas, and forge meaningful connections across sectors.

Welcome Remarks

The attendees at the event were greeted with a warm and inspiring welcome remarks by Sanpriya Mohanty, Sales director, Exito Media Concepts Pvt Ltd., that set the stage for an extraordinary event of exploration and collaboration. The opening remarks acknowledged the rapid pace of change in today’s world and emphasised the importance of embracing digital transformation to drive economic growth, social progress, and individual empowerment.

Opening Keynotes

During her opening keynote at the event, Maria Francesca, Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer of the Department of Budget and Management, provided insightful perspectives on essential aspects of Public Financial Management in the Philippines. The focus emphasised GovTech and establishing the government as a platform. The 2022 GovTech Maturity Index provided an overview of the country’s digitalization progress. Designing the Public Finance Management Architecture was discussed, highlighting the importance of the tech blueprint. The Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) Technology Scaffolding was explained as the foundation for PFM Architecture. Lastly, the goal of establishing Regtech/GovTech in the future was highlighted.

Keynote Presentations

During the event, Joey Gurango, CEO, Xurpas and Bert Bartolome, Head of Business Solution Group, Questronix Corporation delivered keynote presentations that underscored the critical significance of digitization in business. They highlighted how embracing digital technologies is essential for organizations to stay competitive and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. The speakers emphasised that digitization enables businesses to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and unlock new growth opportunities. They provided real-world examples and practical insights, showcasing how businesses can harness the power of digital transformation to drive innovation, agility, and long-term success.

Panel Discussions

Michael P. Christopher, (Usage & Strategies Head, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation), Arlene Romasanta (Chief/Information Technology Officer, Department of Information and Communications Technology), Camille Toledo, (AVP- Head of Technology, McDonald’s Philippines) and Clarence Bondoc (Head of Business Development- Core Products, Brankas) engaged in a captivating panel discussion during the Digital Transformation Summit, exploring diverse topics at the intersection of technology and business. They delved into the impact of Hybrid Cloud on digital transformation strategies, drawing valuable insights from successful cloud migration journeys. The panel also uncovered the dynamic relationship between Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and digital transformation, highlighting the power of collaboration. They discussed the emergence of a hybrid workplace, supporting digital spaces in the Philippines, and the importance of creating business models that integrate digital infrastructure, payment systems, and logistics. Moreover, the panellists explored how technology can be leveraged to elevate customer experience, providing innovative and seamless interactions.

Spotlight Sessions

The spotlight session at the Digital Transformation Summit showcased the Philippines’ approach to building smart cities through the integration of AI and advanced technologies. Mary Joy Abueg, President of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, highlighted the importance of enhancing ICT councils, guaranteeing employment opportunities, and fostering economic growth. The session also emphasised the development of the Philippines as a viable investment hub for IT-BPM projects and the role of IoT in realising the vision of future cities.

Fireside Chat

The fireside chat at the Digital Transformation Summit brought together industry experts to discuss the breakthrough happening in customer experience (CX) and the readiness of businesses to adapt. The chat explored the transformative impact of AI chatbots, advanced data analytics, and innovative customer engagement models. It explained the benefits of establishing a strong interconnection of IT systems and utilizing data and advanced analytics to deliver seamless experiences and interactions across multiple channels, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Keynote presentation by Kenneth Catugas

The standalone session on “Combining Big Data and AI in Efficient 5G Network Problem-Solving” at the Digital Transformation Summit delved into the convergence of big data and AI to address challenges in the 5G network. Kenneth Catugas, Head of IT at ING, highlighted the diverse uses of AI within the network, focusing on both operation and service aspects. The session emphasised the need for digital transformation to drive service innovation and automation. It also discussed the importance of making the network intelligent, agile, and predictive, and developing targeted and hyper-personalized offers to drive consumer uptake of 5G technology.

Exito extends our heartfelt thanks to our silver sponsors for their valuable support and partnership. Their commitment to fostering digital innovation and transformation has been instrumental in fuelling the success of this event.