Senator Christopher “Bong” Go" has called on Friday, Nov. 26 for the passage of the E-Governance Bill, which seeks to establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable information and resource sharing communications network in government for speedy delivery of public services.

“I have a pending bill in the Senate, the proposed E-Governance Act that I filed on my first year as a Senator. It can serve partly as a blueprint and model on how we transform many processes into digitalized form,” Go said.

He cited a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) wherein it was stated that losses Filipino workers’ wages and productivity because of COVID-19 have been estimated to reach as much as P2.3 trillion during their lifetim Go added that apart from the government network, the bill likewise provides for the establishment of an internal records management information system and a centralized information database.

"Significantly, it provides for the establishment and sustenance of digital portals through which the public may request for and receive public services. It also pushes for the digitization of paper-based and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service," he explained.

He mentioned that the measure aims to serve as a guide for the country’s eventual transition to the digital age, enabling the government to run more efficiently. This is in line with the government’s push to be closer to its constituents, offering improved access to the government through the use of modern technology.

One form of this proposed nationwide digitalization, according to Go, is specifically geared toward addressing public health issues is the use and implementation of eHealth services, which is sought to be institutionalized through the eHealth bill he filed.

The measure provides for the use of information and communication technologies for health or eHealth as one of the enabling strategic instruments not only to address current disparities in service care delivery and timely access to information for better decision-making and intervention, but also to support and facilitate the achievement of the Universal Health Care goals of better outcomes, sustained health financing, and responsive health system.

Also a presidential aspirant, Go who vowed to continue the programs of the Duterte Administration, and said the current administration has already institutionalized reforms to streamline government processes such as the signing of RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act, the creation of an Anti-Red Tape Authority or ARTA, facilitating the transition to E-Governance, and the implementation of the Philippine ID System, among others.