Big-league PSAC presses digital shift
In a meeting with the PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector last 12 January, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. gave his full support to the movement
The top-level Private Sector Advisory Council Digital Infrastructure launched a campaign to spur the digital shift amid the resistance of some sectors to the pursuit.
GoDigital Pilipinas or the GDP movement was convened with the vision of empowering Filipino citizens through technology, for a connected and inclusive society, according to PSAC.
The campaign heeds the call of the government to address the risk of a digital divide by promoting technology literacy and building a sustainable ecosystem.
The GoDigital movement was officially launched following the National Economic and Development Authority’s public forum “From Plan to Action: Philippine Development Plan 2023 — 2028” held at the Philippine International Convention Center.
In a meeting with the PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector last 12 January, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave his full support to the movement, which he echoed in his speech at the NEDA forum.
“Every part of society must be part of this transformation. If we manage to put together these best minds that can apply their particular talents to the problems that we face, we will set sail towards transforming our sectors in key areas, such as digitalization, in order to build a better data system that will create better government programs,” President Marcos said.
“In line with this, I welcome the launch of the GoDigital Pilipinas movement, which will advocate digitalization initiatives and nationwide digital upskilling of marginalized Filipinos in collaboration with the TESDA and the Inter-Agency Council on Philippine Digital Workforce,” he added.
GoDigital aligns with the administration’s six-year socioeconomic agenda, and beyond, with its whole-of-society approach encapsulated in the Philippine Development Plan. The PDP’s ultimate goal is to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines.
The public forum “From Plan to Action” highlights the key features of the PDP and the next steps both government and non-government sectors are taking to implement it.
“PSAC Digital Infrastructure is ready to support the nation’s development blueprint and digitalization agenda through the GDP movement. Working together, the public and private sector will ensure that every Filipino has the tools and the skills to thrive in our revitalized society,” PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector Lead and Union Bank of the Philippines chief technology operations and chief transformation officer Henry Aguda said.
PACES to speed up progress
Leveraging the expertise and resources of the private sector, GoDigital complements the public sector digital initiatives through the five-PACES plan which are the creation of Policies and programs that promote the development of digital infrastructure and services; the expansion of Access to digital technologies and digital literacy training to all citizens; the development of digital skills and Capabilities; the promotion of digital Entrepreneurship and innovation; and the Security of digital rights and privacy.
Regarding the development of digital skills and capabilities through upskilling, the movement focuses on sectors of society that may need specialized training and mentoring tailored to their needs. This includes rural workers, who number more than 10 million nationwide, as well as the elderly, persons deprived of liberty, indigenous people, and those differently abled.
It draws on the success of public and private sector digital upskilling initiatives, including UnionBank’s partnership with Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Inc. training and employing differently-abled Filipinos as data analysts.