Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has called on lawmakers to expedite the passage of a bill that would pave the way for a full digitization of government services by the end of 2022.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Gatchalian, who had earlier filed Senate Bill No. 1793 or the proposed “Full Digital Transformation Act of 2020,” said it is imperative to streamline government transactions by adopting automation and digitization of government services to promote zero-contact policy and to facilitate its efficient delivery in accordance with Republic Act No. 11234 or the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act and other similar laws.
“Hindi na natin dapat patagalin pa ang modernisasyon sa ating gobyerno upang maging mas mabisa at ligtas ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa publiko (Let’s hasten government modernization programs so that providing public service to the people could be done efficiently and safely),” Gatchalian said in explaining the salient points of the bill.
“Bahagi ng ating pagbangon mula sa pinsalang dulot ng COVID-19 ang isang modernong sistemang agarang tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan (part of our recovery efforts from this COVID-19 pandemic is a modern system that would respond to the needs of our people),” the senator said.
Under the bill, all government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), instrumentalities, and local government units (LGUs) are mandated to adopt a digitization strategy that aligns with the Philippine Digital Transformation Strategy 2022.
It also seeks to harmonize common data related to persons, transportation, business, and land, among others.
Likewise, the measure mandates the government to invest in developing organizational capability and staff competencies that would support national digital transformation.