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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider DBM boosts digital budget for improved public service

DBM boosts digital budget for improved public service

Published Sep 20, 2023 05:19 am

At A Glance

  • The Department of Budget and Management said the proposed 2024 budget includes a significant increase in funding for digitalization initiatives to boost public service and efficiency through digitalization.<br>Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasizes the importance of investing in the digital movement within the bureaucracy. The proposed budget allocation for digital initiatives is P38.75 billion, a 60.6 percent increase from the previous year.<br>Digitalization not only enhances efficiency but also generates quality jobs for Filipinos. It will also reduce red tape and promoting employment in the digital economy are priorities.<br>The Department of Education, Department of Justice, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Finance are among the government agencies receiving significant budget allocations for digitalization.<br>Other government agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, Judiciary, Department of National Defense, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and executive offices, will also receive budget allocations.<br>The Department of Information and Communications Technology has programs such as the ICT Systems and Infostructure Development, Management, and Advisory program, the National Government Portal, and the National Broadband Plan.<br>Free Wi-Fi initiatives for the public and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will receive separate funding to improve internet access across the country.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) aims to boost public service through increasing the proposed budget for digitalization funding.

To embrace digitalization in government agencies, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said that digital initiatives will be allocated P38.75 billion in the 2024 proposed budget.

Next year’s budget plan has increased by 60.6 percent from its P24.93 billion funding this year.

“Technological advancement has given rise to a growing digital economy which continues to create new forms of work, transforming the employment landscape,” Pangandaman said.

She also stated that it is crucial to invest in the bureaucracy’s digital movement. 

According to DBM, it not only enhances efficiency but also generates quality jobs for Filipinos.

They also plan to cut red tape, which hinders efficiency in the government, and provide more employment in the digital economy.

“Keeping updated on technology and maximizing its uses are in line with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos’ whole-of-government approach to digitally connect the entire bureaucracy,” she added.

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and budget for digitalization will be distributed to 10 government agencies. 

This includes the Department of Education with 9.43 billion, the Department of Justice with P5.55 billion, the Department of Information and Communications Technology with P5.34 billion with regard to ICT-program-related expenses, and the Department of Finance with P3.15 billion.

Moreover, the Department of Interior and Local Government will receive P2.60 billion, while the National Economic and Development Authority with P2.08 billion; and P1.44 billion allotted to the Judiciary, which includes Supreme Court, Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, and Court of Tax Appeals.

Lastly, the Department of National Defense will get P1.12 billion, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with P913 million, and other executive offices with P890 million.

To aid with the modern initiatives, P990.631 million will be given to the ICT Systems and Infrastructure Development, Management, and Advisory program of the DICT.

About P1.67 billion will then be allotted to the program of National Government Data Center Infrastructure (NGDCI). The project targets to provide resources to government agencies through colocation or digital cloud that minimizes their spending.

Furthermore, P302.86 million will be distributed to the DICT’s National Government Portal (NGP). This helps put all government departments on a single website and streamline the services to the public.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP), which is a DICT program, will receive PHP 1.50 billion to improve internet speed and Wi-Fi affordability within the country.

In relation to this, Free Wi-Fi for the public and State University and Colleges (SUC) will get a separate funding of P2.5 billion. They aim to bring 50 broadband sites in 82 provinces. (Gabriell Christel Galang)

Related Tags

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman Digitalization
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