INTEROPERABILITY DEAL. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary for Information and Communications Technology and chief information officer Maria Francesca del Rosario and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday (June 14, 2023). The MOU seeks to harmonize, coordinate and integrate information and technology efforts to pave the way for e-governance. (Photo courtesy of DBM)
MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) inked Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to harmonize, coordinate and integrate information and communication technology (ICT) efforts.
The signing of the MOU was in line with the Marcos administration’s bid to adapt e-governance system to simplify government service transactions, the DBM said in a statement.
The MOU was signed by DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy and DBM Undersecretary for Information and Communications Technology and chief information officer Maria Francesca del Rosario, on behalf of DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
The DBM said the MOU covers all collaborative efforts with the DICT to ensure interoperability of applications and systems of the agencies.
“It is in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for government agencies to undergo digital transformation that will ensure faster delivery of government services, enhance accountability, and guarantee transparency,” it said.
Under the MOU, the DBM will guide the DICT on its process to ensure interoperability and provide relevant information and data, subject to the provision on confidentiality and other relevant laws, rules and regulations.
The MOU also mandates compliance with existing and relevant laws on procurement, budget and accounting processes, and other existing rules and regulations, if applicable.
In his welcome remarks, Uy hoped that the pact with the DBM would encourage more government agencies to digitize their services.
“The second week of ICT Month celebrates digital governance. And, as we leverage the power of ICT, transforming the government into an agile and efficient bureaucracy by encouraging government agencies and instrumentalities to adopt digital tools and technology, we hope to make great strides in enhancing public service delivery, promoting transparency, and positive accountability,” he said.
Del Rosario said the bid for full digitalization of government would not be realized unless all state departments and offices backed the initiative.
"We [DBM] really wanted to help digitalize our government offices because, even if we have these applications, if the government offices, the LGUs don’t have connectivity, useless po 'yung ginagawa natin (what we're doing is useless). So it’s really a collaborative effort across all agencies," she said.
"We’re very much supportive of this initiative of E-gov and we’re looking forward for more policy work in terms of integration of these applications --not just on the tech but on the policy.”
Pangandaman has repeatedly emphasized the need to pursue digital transformation, saying it would enable the government to build reliable data systems that are “responsive to the people's needs.”
DICT Undersecretary for e-Government David Almirol Jr. also expressed gratitude to the DBM for supporting the planned shift to e-governance.
"On DBM, thank you for being supportive to us on e-governance and in making ISSP (Information Systems Strategic Plan) a prerequisite before release of funds, and budget," Almirol said. (PNA)
