DO WE have an IT Roadmap? Is there an agency that spearheads the growth and development of our digital competency? While scanning over the country’s government sector that are into communication and information technology, I came across an office that recently conducted a course on Business Analytics for Information Technology-Business Process Management. Accordingly, the first batch of scholars of training program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT as part of its digital initiative to help provide the right skills and improve the qualifications and competencies of locals to handle Business Analytics.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology is mandated to be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote the national ICT development agenda as enshrined in Republic Act 10844.
The DICT is empowered to formulate, recommend and implement national policies, plans, programs and guidelines that will promote the development and use of ICT with due consideration to the advantages of convergence and emerging technologies. Among the expected tasks of the agency is to formulate policies and initiatives, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), to develop and promote ICT in education consistent with the national goals and objectives, and responsive to the human resource needs of the ICT and ICT-enabled services (ICT-ES) sectors.
As the government’s IT arm, the DICT also provide an integrated framework in order to optimize all government ICT resources and networks for the identification and prioritization of all e-Government systems and applications as provided for the e-Government masterplan and the Philippine Development Plan.
So what else do we expect from DICT aside from improved public access to communications? Part of its mandate is to prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment, operation and maintenance of ICT infrastructures in unserved and under-served areas, in consultation with the local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector, and the academe. Also, DICT shall establish a free internet service that can be accessed in government offices and public areas using the most cost-effective telecommunications technology, through partnership with private service providers as may be necessary.
On resource-sharing and capacity building, the various units of DICT in the country are likewise expected to harmonize and coordinate all national ICT plans and initiatives to ensure knowledge, information and resource-sharing, database-building and agency networking linkages among government agencies, consistent with e-Government objectives in particular, and national objectives in general. Part of their function is to ensure the development and protection of integrated government ICT infrastructures and designs, taking into consideration the inventory of existing manpower, plans, programs, software, hardware, and installed systems, assist and provide technical expertise to government agencies in the development of guidelines in the enforcement and administration of laws, standards, rules, and regulations governing ICT.
The DICT also assesses, reviews and supports ICT research and development programs of agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and prescribe the personnel qualifications and other qualification standards essential to the effective development and operation of government ICT infrastructures and systems. While it develops programs that would enhance the career advancement opportunities of ICT workers in government, the DICT also assists in the dissemination of vital information essential to disaster risk reduction through the use of ICT, represent and negotiate for Philippine interest on matters pertaining to ICT in international bodies, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other institutions concerned.
In the area of consumer protection and industry development, the DICT ensures and protects the rights and welfare of consumers and business users to privacy, security and confidentiality in matters relating to ICT, in coordination with agencies concerned, the private sector and relevant international bodies. It supports the promotion of trade and investment opportunities in the ICT and ICT-ES sectors, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and other relevant government agencies and the private sector.
There are more tasks that DICT is expected to deliver and implement like the establishment of guidelines for public-private partnerships in the implementation of ICT projects for government agencies, promotion of strategic partnerships and alliances between and among local and international ICT. I am more interested in its research and development, educational and training institutions to speed up the industry growth and enhance competitiveness of Filipino workers particularly the small and medium enterprises.
On matters concerning cybersecurity, the DICT is the lead in formulating a national cybersecurity plan that would minimize national security risks within the ICT environment. The suppression of cybercrimes and cyber-attacks against critical infrastructures that imperils national security is being addressed through a computer emergency response team or CERT.
These countermeasures designed to address and anticipate all domestic and transnational incidents affecting the Philippine cyberspace and any cybersecurity threats to the country is also designed to enhance public-private partnership in the field of information sharing involving cyber-attacks, threats and vulnerabilities.
On its countryside development efforts, the DICT consults with local government units and other local stakeholders and line agencies for the implementation of responsive, relevant and comprehensive ICT-related strategies to improve the competitiveness of provincial locations for ICT and ICT-ES industry in order to develop balanced investments between high-growth and economically-depressed areas and to promote the development and widespread use of ICT.
The DICT assists LGUs and local stakeholders in developing specialized ICT-enabled investments areas by providing technical and industry-calibrated assistance in the use of ICT for the enhancement of key public services, development and promotion of local arts and culture, tourism, digital literacy, and talent development. In the Cordillera, the DICT has already opened Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Centers that serves as a knowledge and business hubs meant to provide equal opportunities for the underserved and marginalized communities, empower people, transform lives and make an impact in solving issues like the digital divide.