Go wants swifter digital transformation of government agencies

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go is calling for swifter digital transformation of government agencies to make it easier for people to access various basic services online. 

Go said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis continues to highlight the need to invest in technology and promote e-governance practices to improve efficiency in the delivery of goods and services. 

“With the use of technology, the government service to the people would become effective, efficient and comprehensive. Let us ease the burden of the Filipino people, especially now that we are fighting the COVID-19,” he said in Filipino.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology must spearhead the digitalization of government functions and procedures, he added.

A survey of the country’s top officials and senior tech executives showed that nearly half of the nation’s agencies are behind schedule in their digitalization program. 

“We’ve seen the importance of digital transformation in government. In the private sector, businesses were forced to adopt e-commerce techniques to improve their services. There’s no better time than now to prioritize the government’s digital transformation,” said Go.

He said a digital government would improve access of citizens to the government regardless of geographical location or socio-economic condition. 

He called on government agencies to design health service applications which citizens can access anywhere anytime on any device to keep them informed on how to protect themselves and contribute to the country’s fight against the COVID pandemic.

Go, chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, stressed that an integrated healthcare database would strengthen and improve the delivery of service such as the Malasakit Center. 

The center brings together various agencies such as the Departments of Health and Social Welfare, PhilHealth and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof.

It was institutionalized under Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, principally authored by Go. 

Its aim is to provide better access to financial medical assistance from the government and bring down hospital bills of poor and indigent Filipinos. To date, there are 71 Malasakit Centers in the country.