New ICT roadmap launched

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and global non-profit organization Internet Society came up with the country’s information and communications technology roadmap which will guide the development of the Philippine digital ecosystem.

Called the National ICT Ecosystem Framework (NICTEF), the roadmap will serve as a successor to the Philippine Digital Strategy initiative from 2011 to 2016.

The framework seeks to demonstrate how governments can engage citizens and other stakeholder groups in policymaking.

The DICT describes the framework as key to developing a knowledge society designed to “maximize the benefits of open governance, magnify the advantages of industry applications and multiply the opportunities of skills development.”

Sub-committees will be created to more effectively respond and cater to the needs of the countryside.

“Through NICTEF, DICT and the Internet Society, along with the principal contributors and subject matter experts, we are showing the Asia-Pacific region how vital participatory governance is in this part of the world. The strong sense of collaboration focused on bridging the digital gap makes NICTEF a truly living document,” Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio said.

Several training workshops were given to civil servants to broaden their understanding of the principles that underpin the architecture and continued evolution of the internet.

 “The Philippine government’s commitment to following the multi-stakeholder model in the development of NICTEF is an exemplary approach and is a model best practice for other countries to consider in their policy development processes,” said Rajnesh Singh, chief regional director for Asia Pacific of the Internet Society.

 “We’re honored to have been able to contribute to the development of this framework that will guide the development of the Philippine digital ecosystem – and lay the foundation for all sectors to benefit from the use of ICTs and the internet,” he added.