The first time I wrote about the upcoming 6th Mindanao ICT Congress was, I believe, in early May of this year. Soon after, the planning for this major undertaking was begun, albeit rather lethargically, due to coordination concerns among the three MICT stakeholders. This year, two organizations have been awarded the franchise by the Mindanao Business Council (which owns the event): the Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and ICT Davao Inc.
During the initial two months, the schedule for the MICT had finally been set, from 23 to 24 October 2007. Events attached to the Congress were scheduled around those dates; the Mindanao Bloggers Summit, for example, was supposed to be held on the 27th. Recently, however, the MICT technical working group (TWG) made a sweeping decision to move the Congress a week early, this time from 19 to 21 October, and even directed the organizers of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit to move this event to the 20th.
The reason given was, the week of 22 to 27 October is expected to be brimming with various major events, so that having the MICT Congress during this week, it was thought, might dilute its importance. Concerns of sponsors’ fatigue and participants’ low turnout were also raised.
But now, it appears that the powers that be — the steering committee of the MICT Congress — are of a mind to overturn the TWG’s decision, and return the Congress to the original dates. Meantime, the Bloggers Summit has already been rescheduled to reflect the TWG’s wishes, and this group is set on holding the Summit on the new (and final) date: 20 October 2007.
It seems to me that, while there appear to be developments, progress is going forward at a worrisome pace. We have barely three months to go. I would like to urge the TWG and the steering committee to step up and show — nay, assure — everyone that the 6th MICT Congress will be the most successful yet.
Preparations for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit, on the other hand, are proceeding smoothly. As I’ve mentioned, it will be held on the 20the of October (Saturday). The event blog is online at www.mindanaobloggers.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit the website for more details.
FYI: The MBS1 is now scheduled on 27 October 2007 once and for all. Please be guided accordingly. The organizers wish to apologize for this brief episode of uncertainty. The 27th of October is the real deal. No more changes from now on.