DICT ordered to enable LGUs for e-Gov system

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ramp up efforts to enable local government units to adapt to the e-Gov system as part of the government’s digitization initiative.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Chief Executive issued the directive to DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy during their sectoral meeting in Malacañang last Tuesday to discuss the agency’s pending projects and cybersecurity concerns.

Adapting to the e-Gov system will not only modernize the LGUs but also result in saving money and boosting income generation.

“So, again it all boils down to that. That’s really the essence of digitalization. Let’s be sure that we are able to upgrade this system. Set it up to get them (LGUs) ready so they know how to operate it,” Marcos was quoted as saying.

The DICT last December announced the impending rollout of the e-Gov system. This included the e-Gov Super App, an online platform meant to ensure the digitalization of government systems in the Philippines, including the LGUs.

It also contains part of the government’s e-Government Priority Projects like centralizing government cloud services; e-Report for citizens’ feedback and complaints; and e-Gov App, which will integrate all government services into one platform.

The e-Gov Super App is set to be launched early next month.

Aside from the e-Government Priority Projects, DICT’s Priority Initiatives include the Broadband ng Masa, National Broadband Plan (NBP), Free Public Internet Access Program, National Government Data Center (NGDC), and Enhancing ICT competency through Upskilling and Reskilling.

In 2022, the Philippines ranked 71st out of 131 economies in the global Network Readiness Index, a significant jump from the 85th ranking in 2021 due to good performance on e-commerce legislation, high-tech exports, and information and communication technology (ICT) services exports.