DICT and YGG Pilipinas Collaborate to Bring Digital Career Opportunities to Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN YGG Pilipinas’ Metaverse Filipino Worker (MFW) Caravan — a traveling roadshow bringing the future of work to local communities across the Philippines — is rolling into Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Friday, July 25, 2025. With support from government agencies including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), and the local government of Puerto Princesa, the Caravan showcases how digital infrastructure, community education, and inclusive upskilling programs can create new pathways for work in remote areas.

Formerly known as the YGG Pilipinas Roadtrip, the MFW Caravan is an annual grassroots initiative advancing AI and Web3 adoption nationwide, with previous stops in Bacolod, Baguio, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, and Manila. In June 2025, the Caravan expanded its reach to Bicol, drawing over 1,300+ attendees, including students, freelancers, gamers, esports athletes, and moms exploring digital careers. Its upcoming Palawan leg continues the mission to make the future of work accessible for all Filipinos.

“For decades, the story of the Filipino worker has been one of sacrifice, but today, a new generation is redefining this narrative,” said Mench Dizon, Country Head of YGG Pilipinas. “Through the MFW movement, we’re proving that it’s possible to build a global career, earn with dignity, and stay close to the people who matter most. We are working for a future where Filipinos no longer have to leave the country to succeed because the opportunities right here are just as good, if not better.”

YGG Pilipinas is a community-driven organization that originated in Web3 gaming, recognizing the power of play as a gateway for upskilling Filipinos in emerging technologies. Today, it builds on that foundation to help Filipinos access meaningful work in the global digital economy. Through initiatives like Metaversity — its free online learning platform offering practical training in creative, technical, and business skills — YGG Pilipinas is opening doors to digital careers in areas like content creation, game development, and community management. These roles are not only in high demand globally, but can also be done entirely from home, making them especially viable for those outside traditional urban centers.

At the heart of the MFW Caravan are programs designed to turn inspiration into action. The Metaversity platform’s free, on-demand Crash Courses help learners quickly build knowledge in marketing, productivity, and leadership — core skills for navigating careers in AI, Web3 gaming, and other emerging tech fields. Those who complete the courses can advance to the Marshal Program, a cohort-based learning experience focused on four in-demand tracks: Community, Marketing, Gaming, and Content Creation. To date, over 2,100 learners have completed Crash Courses, with more than 650 graduating from the Marshal Program.

“The work we’ve done is about access and equity,” said DICT MIMAROPA Regional Director Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin. “We are building the digital highways and ensuring that people, regardless of where they live, have a way to use them. The MFW Caravan reflects a crucial shift in how Filipinos approach work — one that embraces digital skills, borderless opportunities, and economic empowerment without the need to go overseas. At the DICT, we see the value in initiatives like this that help prepare our workforce for what’s next by expanding awareness and promoting upskilling in emerging fields like Web3 and AI. These efforts are laying the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient digital economy.”

Through years of investment and local engagement, the DICT has laid critical foundations for digital transformation in Palawan. With over 1,000 free Wi-Fi sites, 160+ Tech4Ed Centers, floating ICT classrooms, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connectivity, digital signatures, and initiatives targeting indigenous peoples (IPs), women, students, and persons deprived of liberty, Palawan is showcasing its efforts to bridge the digital divide, empower communities, and support regional growth in education, healthcare, and the economy.

Earlier this month, the DICT also launched “Trabahong Digital,” which vowed to create 8 million digital jobs by 2028. To achieve this, the department also aims to secure connectivity in the country, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

The Palawan leg of the MFW Caravan will demonstrate how inclusive, tech-enabled career pathways can come to life when national infrastructure and policy meet culturally relevant, community-first programming. From interactive game showcases to storytelling sessions with digital workers, the event brings the future of work to people who have historically been excluded from it.