ILAGAN CITY, Isabela — The Transformative AI Network (TRAIN) Innovation and Networking Week
2026 brought together government, industry, academe, educators, students and local stakeholders in
Isabela to strengthen the province’s digital ecosystem, workforce readiness and innovation agenda.
The initiative was co-convened by Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III and Atty. Jocelle Batapa-
Sigue, Convenor of the Philippine ICT Innovation Network and TRAIN, and was organized by PESO-
Isabela under Provincial PESO Manager Cecilia Claire “Jeng” N. Reyes.
TRAIN Isabela featured the Isabela Digital Transformation Forum, the WISER Roadmap Workshop, the
Isabela DigiWork Expo, ICT ecosystem discussions and a province-wide innovation tour linking key
localities including Ilagan, Cauayan and Santiago.
The Digital Transformation Forum focused on positioning Isabela as one connected provincial
ecosystem, while the WISER framework — Workforce, Innovation, Strategy, Ecosystem and Resilience
— helped stakeholders identify priorities for talent development, investment, digital strategy,
collaboration and institutional readiness.
The Isabela DigiWork Expo placed digital jobs and future-ready skills at the center of Day 2. Its four
panels — The Builders, The Upskillers, The Homegrowns and The Partners — brought together
practitioners from digital entrepreneurship, global work, data analytics, creative industries, real estate
research, smart cities, workforce development and innovation.
Featured speakers included Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Convenor of the Philippine ICT Innovation
Network and TRAIN; Jay-Cee “Cece” Tan, Founder of HL Accelerator and Co-founder of SaligPay; Martin
Aguila, Assistant Manager for Research at Colliers Philippines; Maggie Po, Founder of FullSuite Pod; Frei
Sangil, CEO and Lead Data Scientist of Layertech Software Labs; Daniel Santos, Senior Director for
Strategic Accounts EMEA-APAC and Government Affairs at Toon Boom Animation; Atty. Frances Loraine
Valdez, technology lawyer and innovation expert associated with the International Telecommunication
Union; Atty. Reina Santos, Smarter City Officer of Cauayan City; Joei Cruz, Founder and CEO of Limitless
Lab; Emmanuel Victoriano, Chief Operations Officer of TAIO; and Jeanette “Pam” Toledo, Chairman and
President of JayThree Information Technology and CATALIST-ICT.
During the province-wide innovation activities, TRAIN Isabela also engaged directly with the leadership
of three key cities. Ilagan City Vice Mayor Christian James Diaz and member of city council, Cauayan
City Mayor Caesar “Jaycee” Dy Jr. and his Smart City team, and Santiago City Mayor Alyssa Sheena P.
Tan and city heads met with the TRAIN delegation and local stakeholders to discuss their respective
digital transformation priorities, innovation initiatives, workforce opportunities, and the potential for
stronger inter-city collaboration. These engagements reinforced the broader objective of linking Ilagan,
Cauayan, and Santiago into a more connected provincial innovation corridor, where local strengths can
complement one another and contribute to Isabela’s overall digital competitiveness.
TRAIN Isabela also emphasized stronger ICT ecosystem and closer collaboration among LGUs, schools,
business groups and national agencies as foundations for creating more digital jobs, attracting
investment and building a competitive provincial economy.
The initiative forms part of TRAIN’s continuing effort to bring ecosystem-based digital transformation to
regions outside major metropolitan centers.
Connect. Innovate. Transform. Together.
Knowledge is the New Currency.
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