E-GOVERNANCE. Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. appears on Monday (May 22, 2023) before the Senate Committee on Science and Technology to present the national government's plan on implementing the proposed E-Governance Act. Almirol said the push for the e-governance is “very timely” as it will enable government agencies help each other in improving their services for Filipinos. (Screengrab from Senate Youtube livestream)
MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) commended on Monday the filed measures seeking to institutionalize e-governance in the country.
During a public hearing led by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, DICT Undersecretary for e-Government David Almirol Jr. said the push for the e-governance is “very timely” as it will enable government agencies help each other in improving their services for Filipinos.
"Alam namin na bawat ahensya ay kailangan ang bawat ahensya (We know that agencies need each other). Government should be connected with each other kasi meron po siyang integration. Kasama po dito yung mga prerequisite na mga data (because it will have integration. It includes prerequisite data)," he said.
Almirol told senators that together with various government agencies and local government units (LGUs), the DICT is targeting to bring e-governance in 42,000 barangays of the country.
"Sa ngayon, nasa 455 agencies and bureaus ang kausap ng DICT to bring e-governance kasi ang mga ahensya kailangan nag-uusap-usap (Right now, DICT is in talks with 455 agencies and bureaus to bring e-governance because agencies need to talk to each other)," he said, noting that 117 state universities and colleges, 108 government-owned and controlled corporations, and 1,700 LGUs will be involved in the initiative.
Under e-governance, Almirol underscored the need to establish a “tougher” law enforcement to implement the program, the single-operating system, the e-payment through the eGovPay, e-Travel, and eGOVcloud.
Almirol also shared to the committee that the DICT is planning to establish the eGov PH Super App, the first one-stop-shop platform for local and national government services that will streamline processes and transactions, and bring a total ease of doing business to all Filipinos.
One of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s priority bills, the E-Governance Act is expected to drive the country's digital transformation.
There are 18 pending measures in the committee pushing for e-governance, eight for strengthening cyber security, 12 for establishing affordable and accessible internet service, three for digital literacy, and another measure pushing for the development and protection of handloom weaving industry.
The House of Representatives approved on March 6 the House Bill No. 7327 or "An Act Institutionalizing the Transition of the Government to E-Governance in the Digital Age, Creating for the Purpose the Philippine Infostructure Management Corp. and Appropriating Fund Therefore" 6 with 304 affirmative and 4 negative votes. (PNA)
