BACOLOD CITY -The Kabankalan-Ilog Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KITEMPCO) based in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental has been designated as the pioneer hub for the implementation of DigitalJobsPH program for cooperatives in Western Visayas. Through the initiative, trainings will be provided through the cooperative to capacitate people in the countryside to do online freelancing as a means of livelihood using their own internet platform or rural impact sourcing hubs. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the program will enable cooperative members to strengthen their capacities in the face of tight competition brought about by globalization. "They are the first beneficiaries of the program. KITEMPCO will be the hub DigitalJobsPH," he added. On Thursday, Lacson witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement between officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in rites held at the Negros Residences here. "I thank the DICT and CDA for choosing Negros Occidental to be the pioneer of this program. This will not only be limited for the members of KITEMPCO, which will (be) the hub for all cooperatives," the governor said. Lacson said he considers the DigitalJobsPH as a tool for the attainment of inclusive and sustained economic growth, financial inclusion, and reduction of poverty. "Its capacities must be maximized in order to have a true positive impact on our people," he added. Last year, the CDA and DICT entered into a first-ever agreement for the implementation of the DigitalJobsPH in Central Visayas, with the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative Inc. in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental as their partner. (PNA) }