DTI VI OIC-RD Ermelinda Pollentes enjoins the crowd to become partners in realizing the lofty visions of DTI Region VI and the IT-BPM stakeholders to establish Western Visayas as the HIMS capital of the world by 2028 and a seedbed of startups during the opening ceremony of the Online Slingshot Region 6 2023 (OSR6-23) on September 7, 2023 at District21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

ILOILO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry – The Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 has embarked on a remarkable journey with the goal of establishing Western Visayas as the “Healthcare Information Management Service (HIMS) Capital of the World by 2028.” This ambitious endeavor is the central theme of the Online Slingshot Region 6 2023 (OSR6-23), a two-day event which kicked off on September 7, 2023 at District21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, educators, and entrepreneurs, to explore the exciting prospects within the HIMS sector and its integration into the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry.

The first day of OSR6-23 featured the Regional HIMS Conference, where experts and practitioners in the field shared their insights and knowledge on HIMS. The discussions focused on current issues, recent developments, and emerging trends within the sector and prerequisites for positioning Western Visayas to be the HIMS capital of the world by 2028. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in discussions, provide feedback, and propose solutions to address the challenges facing HIMS.

The second day of the event will provide updates on the IT-BPM sector, offering attendees the chance to pose questions to industry leaders and representatives from various associations. Additionally, the highly anticipated awarding of the winners of the 2023 Moonshot TNK Startup Pitching Competition will take place, recognizing and celebrating innovative startups.

Region 6, known for its numerous Higher Education Institutions offering medical and health-related courses, stands as a fertile ground for nurturing exceptional talent in the HIMS sector. The region’s contributions to this sector have been exceptional, reflecting a commitment to shaping a future

that extends beyond numbers and statistics to impact lives, shape futures, and turn dreams into reality.

The HIMS sector falls under the Health and Life Sciences (HLS) cluster, aligning seamlessly with the government’s priorities outlined in the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan and Western Visayas Regional Development Plan.

In addition to the HIMS focus, OSR6-23 provides insights into the state of the startup ecosystem in the region. These startups, marked by resilience and determination, contribute significantly to the entrepreneurial landscape by bringing fresh ideas, creating job opportunities, and infusing vibrancy into the local business ecosystem.

OSR6-23 signifies the continued collaboration between DTI Region VI and its partners, aimed at fostering innovation, startup development, and entrepreneurship in the region. It encourages participants to embrace change, work together, and pursue innovation relentlessly.

In her welcome remarks, Regional Director Ermelinda Pollentes of the Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “Let us continue to collaborate and make Region 6 as an innovative and digitally-enabled region – as HIMS capital of the world by 2028 and a seedbed of startups.”

With its ambitious vision and commitment to collaboration, OSR6-23 sets the stage for Region 6 to leave an indelible mark on the world stage in the field of HIMS and innovation. ♦

Date of Release: 07 September 2023

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