Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – October 9–11, 2025 — Over 300 IT professionals, educators, students, and national and international industry leaders from across the globe gathered at the Palawan State University Amphitheater for the 2025 iSITE Professional National Conference, hosted by the Integrated Society of Information Technology Enthusiasts (iSITE), Inc.
With the theme “Securing Innovation: Cyber Defense, Data Ethics, and the Rise of Smart Technologies,” the three-day event focused on strengthening cybersecurity awareness, promoting ethical data practices, exploring emerging smart technologies, and aligning IT practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
DICT CALABARZON Regional Director Reniel A. Villaflor opened the event with a strong call for collaboration among government, academia, and civil society to build a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of responsible digital citizenship and innovation that serves the public good.
Following an update from the CHED Regional Director Dr. Rogelio Galera Jr. on Day 2, underscoring the need to embed cyber ethics and security as core subjects in higher education. He introduced CHED’s “ACHIEVE” strategic agenda and a new “Center of Excellence” program in IT education.
The experts tackle cyber threats, AI, and education. A roster of distinguished speakers addressed pressing topics. The NICP President and Chief Information Officer – Dr. Joy Abueg warned of sophisticated cyber threats, including phishing and deep fakes, and discussed the legal duties of organizations under the Data Privacy Act and Cybercrime Law. Mr. Alan Reyes (Hexcore Lab PH) and Mr. Erik Santos (Converged ICT) highlighted cybersecurity skills gaps and the value of gamified learning and smart campus technologies. Dr. Rolando Lansigan explored the ethical dimensions of cybersecurity, stressing that values must underpin digital defense strategies. The iSITE President Dr. Neil P. Balba discussed preparing generation alpha for future technological challenges, while Ms. Hannah Pabalan and Dr. Luisa Macatangay emphasized data privacy and ethical business intelligence. The keynote speakers highlight urgency in cybersecurity and ethical innovation.
Corporate partners such as MSI, Smartbridge, and MongoDB showcased innovations in hardware, AI-driven optimization, and cybersecurity solutions for educational institutions. The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Smartbridge and Laguna University College of Computing Studies together with other academic institutions to develop smart campus cybersecurity initiatives.
Environmental advocacy closes conference on the final day with a community extension program in El Nido, in partnership with the Department of Tourism–Palawan. The program included a beach cleanup and environmental tour, reinforcing iSITE’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship through technology.
The 2025 iSITE National Conference not only brought to the forefront the critical intersections of innovation, ethics, and security but also demonstrated the power of cross-sector collaboration in shaping a safer, smarter, and more sustainable digital future for the Philippines and other countries.
By: Joselle A. Banocnoc
Photos: John Wilson O. Relova
