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DICT taps Chief Information Officers to sustain digital transformation dev't
DICT taps Chief Information Officers to sustain digital transformation dev't
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), together with the Chief Information Officers' Forum (CIOF), and the Chief Information Officers' Forum Foundation (CIOFF) are collaborating to sustain the development of the Government’s digital technology in the public sector.
In his speech at the 2023 National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Summit on Tuesday, Aug. 22, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said this annual gathering serves as a venue to exchange knowledge and share developments in ICT inside the government.
With the theme, "Building a Culture for Sustaining the Government's Digital Transformation," this summit is a platform for exploring the powerful impact of digital technology in the public sector and the strategic steps necessary to sustain a culture of innovation.
Uy highlighted the significance of our CIOs in government as the custodians of technology and innovation within government agencies, by understanding that “technology is an enabler rather than an end in itself.”
The secretary pointed out that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, the blockchain, and more critical technologies have been permitted in every aspect. Where every algorithm, data point, and line of code — there lies the human element that needs to process information and make decisions out of it.
ICT development agenda
This ICT development agenda for 2023-2028 is a unified national strategy, encompassing digital connectivity, digital inclusion, and meaningful digital inclusion of innovation and cybersecurity.
“We have undertaken nationwide multi-stakeholder consultations for this draft ICT agenda in many areas in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and La Union, putting a premium on the involvement of Filipinos in transforming governance,” he said.
On the first run, Uy went on to say that DICT is accelerating the deployment of physical infrastructure interventions for both wired and wireless broadband technologies through the “Broadband ng Masa program.”
The DICT’S Broadband ng Masa program seeks to provide free and reliable internet connection for the benefit of Filipinos, especially those living in geographically-disadvantaged areas.
Read: https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/31/expanding-national-connectivity-with-broadband-ng-masa-program
Uy also shared various programs that catered to the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of our society, such as the digital innovation for women advancement or called Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) which aims to advance gender equality and empower women to actively participate in building an inclusive and sustainable digital future.
He also discussed the digital literacy training for persons with disabilities and persons deprived of liberty and the ongoing coding for kids program.
In addition, Uy also mentioned the e-Gov Super App that was launched last June which consolidates various online government services into a single mobile platform.
Uy assured the public that the DICT is pouring twice its effort to bridge the digital divide and facilitate digital inclusion to maximize connectivity initiatives.
“We are converting our present tech forehead centers into digital transformation centers, where the public can avail of digital jobs training, use the facility as a co-working space, and utilize ICT equipment to pursue jobs online,” the secretary said.
The DICT also initiated moves to enable the interoperability of ICT systems in the bureaucracy.
"We have signed a memorandum of understanding with 37 government agencies to formalize our joint commitments in transforming processes and integrating all our systems into the eGov PH app."
He made it clear that the DICT does not aim to put all 455 national government agencies into the eGov app. However, he underscored that the department targets those agencies that are believers in digital transformation.
Lastly, Uy calls for legislators to provide funding in the DICT’s issued Department Circular No. 001 of 2023, which provided the guidelines for the start-up grant fund.