Senatorial aspirant Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro on Tuesday, Jan. 18 strongly favors pouring huge investments in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in order to guarantee sustainable national government.
Appearing as guest on the online show “Sara All For You”, Teodoro underscored the need for the country to keep pace with other fast developing countries in Southeast Asia.
To ensure this, Teodoro said, massive boost in ICT’s digital and physical infrastructure should be pursued by government and the private sector.
“Kailangan maging mas agile ang gobyerno. Mga proseso ng gobyerno padaliin natin para mas mabilis itong makatugon sa mga sitwasyon sa different na lugar sa Pilipinas, and at the top of this is local autonomy. (Government should be more agile. Government processes should be made easier to speed up response in different areas in the Philippines)” Teodoro told program host Mayor Sara Duterte.
Duterte, who is seeking the vice presidency in the May polls, lauded the former defense secretary for putting emphasis on ICT technology as part of his priority legislative agenda if elected into office in May.
“We are happy to hear that from you, Senator Gibo. Isa talaga ‘yan sa waterloo ng Pilipinas (That is one of the setbacks of Philippines),” said Duterte.
Teodoro said government also needs to help the private sector expand their ICT facilities.
“It’s the ability of the government, kakayahan niya na mag-invest (its potential to invest) in emerging and disruptive technologies. Kailangan bigyang laya ang gobyerno na mag-invest dito kasi kung mahuhuli tayo sa investment dito sa mga technologies nato, mahuhuli din tayo sa pila. (Government must be given freedom to invest here because if we are delayed in investing in these technologies, we will be last),” he added.
Teodoro also stressed the importance of learning the security aspects of the technology, constant research, and the possibility of creating Filipino-made technologies through ICT.
Teodoro is among the senatorial candidates that Duterte is personally endorsing for a seat in the Senate.