Senator Christopher “Bong” Go today pushed for fast reliable internet connectivity so that Filipinos could easily transition to online modes of transactions.

As chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, Go reiterated its importance in order to avoid face-to-face transactions as coronavirus disease  (COVID-19) infections remain a threat.  

He enumerated examples such as the transition of government to E-governance, students adapting to flexible or blended learning, and the public conducting online business transactions.

“Kahit ako nga nahihirapan sa internet connection. 'Yung mga Senate sessions, hearings at meetings ngayon ay virtual na bilang pagsunod sa social distancing measures. Apektado ang trabaho kapag mabagal at hindi reliable ang ating internet connection,” he explained. (I myself have internet connection problems. Senate plenary sessions, hearings and meetings has become virtual to follow social distancing measures.)

Go lauded the latest directive of Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) which seeks to accelerate the rollout of telecommunication infrastructure and service projects in the Philippines.

The Joint Memorandum Circular, currently being drafted by a joint task force composed of ARTA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aims to fast-track the construction of telecom towers.

“Siguraduhin natin na lahat ng mga estudyante ay mabibigyan ng pantay na oportunidad sa ilalim ng ating learning continuity plan in all levels of education,” he stressed. (Let us ensure that all students are given equal opportunity under the learning….)

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) maintain there would be no regular face-to-face classes when the school year resumes on August 24.

Instead, all educational institutions shall resume remotely through online platforms, learning management systems and take-home packets, among others.

“Kahit ayaw nating maantala ang klase nila, importanteng safe sila. ‘Yan ang unang consideration natin, ang kalusugan ng ating mga anak. For me, no vaccine, no physical classes or face-to-face learning,” Go said. (If we don’t want their education delayed, it is important that they are kept safe. That is our first consideration, the health of our children…)  

Go also acknowledged the ongoing crisis has laid bare the need to digitize other transactions that used to be handled in person.

“I reiterate my call for all government instrumentalities to implement systems that shall make physical queuing a thing of the past,” said the President during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered last July 27.

“We need e-governance our people with the services they need the comfort of their homes or workplaces. It will enable our bureaucracy to better transition into in the 'new normal' and cut or minimize red tape,” he also said.

Go filed Senate Bill No. 1738, or the E-Governance Act of 2020, which mandates the establishment of an integrated, interconnected and interoperable internal government network.

This network will allow all branches, agencies, instrumentalities and offices of the national and local governments, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to share and communicate resources, information and data.

“In an age where almost everything can be done online and through other digital platforms, the government must harness the power of information and communications technology to better serve its purpose and bring the government closer to the people,” Go said.

The proposed measure will likewise create online public service portals, an internal records management system, an email and communications network for internal and intra-government communications, and a national directory of information on Philippine citizens, among others.

“We need to evolve— businesses are already transitioning to e-commerce and online transactions. Our education system is also championing blended learning. It is important for the government as a whole to expedite its transition as well,” he explained.