Lawmaker presses need for Dep’t of ICT
Sen. Juan Edgardo ’’ Sonny’’ Angara sought yesterday the establishment of a Department of Information and Communications Technology ( DICT) out of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) as the current digital revolution has ‘’ far- reaching transformations that demand the full- attention of government.’’
Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, said the DICT would ensure that innovations in information and communications technology would benefit the Filipino people and contribute to nation- building and global competitiveness.
The Angara measure, Senate Bill 2368 or the DICT Act, states that, among the department’s primary mandates, is to ensure that the application of Information Communication Technology ( ICT) to the various processes and functions of the government are in order to improve the productivity of national and local government programs.
“The application of ICT to the processes of government functioning, or what we call e- governance or electronic governance, will bring about efficient, ethical, accountable, responsive and transparent governance in our country,” Angara said.
Angara is also the vice chairman of the Senate science and technology committee.
Developing ICT sector
He explained that the DICT would also be mandated to plan, promote, and help develop the country’s ICT sector and ensure reliable and costefficient communications facilities, other multimedia infrastructure and services.
It must ensure universal access and high- speed connectivity at fair and reasonable costs as well as the availability and accessibility of ICT services in areas not adequately served by the private sector, he added.
Angara said his measure seeks to encourage the use of ICT for the development and promotion of the country’s agriculture, arts and culture, history, education, public health and safety, and other sociocivic purposes.
“A digital revolution is taking root throughout the country, driving fundamental changes in the way we work, communicate, play, travel, learn, participate— ultimately in the way we live. These far- reaching transformations demand the full attention of government,” Angara said.
Angara said he has been filing the bill during his stint as a member of the House of Representatives.