DICT pushes digitalization as Philippine gains international recognition

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) vowed to further boost the country’s digitalization efforts after the Philippines was recently recognized as the top digital riser in East Asia and the Pacific by the European Center for Digital Competitiveness.

The Digital Riser report analyzes and ranks the changes in the digital competitiveness of countries over the last three years based on digital ecosystem and mindset.

The report said while the Philippines may not be the first example that comes to mind when it comes to digital, its underlying policies implemented in the last three years show a strong and comprehensive push toward digital transformation, which has created significant results.

One of the strengths of the country cited in the report is the passage of the Innovative Start-up Act, a law aimed at strengthening, promoting and developing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture.

The act includes the creation of the Start-up Development Program, which offers benefits and incentives for start-ups and start-up enablers.

The report also cited other regulations that are expected to have a positive impact on the country’s start-up community, which are the regulation of start-up visas for owners, employees, and investors as part of the Start-up Assistance Program 2019-2023; prioritization and expedited processes for state services applications for promising start-ups and enablers; and integration of entrepreneurship in the curricula of education institutions and the provision of incentives to academic institutions.

“The DICT is thrilled by the news that the Philippines was named as one of the top digital risers, not just in Asia, but worldwide. This just proves that we are now reaping the fruits of the government’s digitalization efforts,” DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan said.

Honasan said the agency is committed to further strengthen its ICT programs and initiatives toward digital transformation.

“Rest assured that the DICT will continue on its plans and projects to speed up our country’s digital transformation. We will continue to collaborate with other national government agencies, local government units, as well as with the private sector and the academe for a more effective and efficient development and implementation of various initiatives,” he said.

The DICT is currently implementing various digital transformation programs to help the country better adapt to the “new normal.”

The DICT is also ramping up the deployment of free WiFi in the country.

At present, the installation of internet sites in health and education institutions in various regions are being prioritized to support the government’s COVID-19 response, as well as the adjustments of the education sector to the new normal.

“With our digital connectivity programs, we hope to establish a robust and sustainable ICT environment for Filipinos,” Honasan said.