Every Filipino should have a say in the future of this country. Learn about the DICT bill to enlighten your leaders. To request for the full text of HB 4667 and SB 50, please email nicp.secretariat@gmail.com.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Learn About the DICT Bill
Every Filipino should have a say in the future of this country. Learn about the DICT bill to enlighten your leaders. To request for the full text of HB 4667 and SB 50, please email nicp.secretariat@gmail.com.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Department of ICT For The New Economy
PRESS RELEASE REFER: RIKKA SOTTO
September 14, 2011 MOBILE: 0917-8216123
A DEPARTMENT OF ICT FOR THE NEW ECONOMY
Senator Edgardo J. Angara took the floor today to call for the urgent passage of the measure creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), with Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry in full attendance in a strong demonstration of support.
“Half a decade ago, we already realized the need for a dedicated agency to plan the country's strategic ICT development and direction as the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry was taking off.
“Yet until now we are still without one—hence we remain unable to seize the huge opportunities of the fast evolving digital age,” said Angara, principal author of the proposed measure seeking to create the DICT, together with Senators Loren Legarda and Manuel Villar.
Key officials of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFCP) and Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) came in full force to the Senate today to back the measure.
They were led by Atty. Jocelle Batapa, NICP President; Martin Crisostomo, BPAP Executive Director; Jeffrey Woodruff, American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Executive Director; John Forbes, AMCHAM Senior Advisor for Investment Climate Improvement; and Don Felbaum, AMCHAM Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee.
Last year, the IT-BPO industry made record revenues of US$9 billion and created 525,000 direct jobs, as well as 1.312 million more jobs in ancillary industries. This marks a phenomenal growth over six years, from only $1.3 billion in revenues and 101,000 employees in 2004.
The country earned $5.7 billion last year in pure voice-based services alone, besting India as the top contact center hotspot in the world.
The BPAP believes the industry can sustain this growth through 2016 when revenues are expected to shoot up to $26 billion and the workforce increase to 1.3 million. A World Bank analysis shows that the industry can generate as much as US$50 billion by 2020. This will be possible through aggressive expansion into higher value, non-voice BPO services such as medical transcription, engineering services, IT and software development and creative media.
“The fast growing economies of Southeast Asia have a ministry or department dedicated to ICT, especially its impact on the growth of business and investments. We are in league with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste for having none,” said Angara. “This speaks volumes of our weakening national competitiveness.”
Angara noted that the DICT bill was nearly passed during the Fourteenth Congress.
“If we had, we would now have a working framework for e-governance initiatives and applications, especially on universal healthcare, precision farming, disaster risk reduction, e-learning, combatting cybercrime and business regulation,” said Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE). (30)
--
MEDIA GROUP
Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara
Rm. 202, Senate of the Philippines
GSIS Building, CCP Complex, Pasay City
T: 9940204 / 5526601 loc. 5570 / 552-6779 / 552-6852
F: 552-6601 loc.5571
www.edangara.com
September 14, 2011 MOBILE: 0917-8216123
A DEPARTMENT OF ICT FOR THE NEW ECONOMY
Senator Edgardo J. Angara took the floor today to call for the urgent passage of the measure creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), with Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry in full attendance in a strong demonstration of support.
“Half a decade ago, we already realized the need for a dedicated agency to plan the country's strategic ICT development and direction as the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry was taking off.
“Yet until now we are still without one—hence we remain unable to seize the huge opportunities of the fast evolving digital age,” said Angara, principal author of the proposed measure seeking to create the DICT, together with Senators Loren Legarda and Manuel Villar.
Key officials of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFCP) and Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) came in full force to the Senate today to back the measure.
They were led by Atty. Jocelle Batapa, NICP President; Martin Crisostomo, BPAP Executive Director; Jeffrey Woodruff, American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Executive Director; John Forbes, AMCHAM Senior Advisor for Investment Climate Improvement; and Don Felbaum, AMCHAM Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee.
Last year, the IT-BPO industry made record revenues of US$9 billion and created 525,000 direct jobs, as well as 1.312 million more jobs in ancillary industries. This marks a phenomenal growth over six years, from only $1.3 billion in revenues and 101,000 employees in 2004.
The country earned $5.7 billion last year in pure voice-based services alone, besting India as the top contact center hotspot in the world.
The BPAP believes the industry can sustain this growth through 2016 when revenues are expected to shoot up to $26 billion and the workforce increase to 1.3 million. A World Bank analysis shows that the industry can generate as much as US$50 billion by 2020. This will be possible through aggressive expansion into higher value, non-voice BPO services such as medical transcription, engineering services, IT and software development and creative media.
“The fast growing economies of Southeast Asia have a ministry or department dedicated to ICT, especially its impact on the growth of business and investments. We are in league with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste for having none,” said Angara. “This speaks volumes of our weakening national competitiveness.”
Angara noted that the DICT bill was nearly passed during the Fourteenth Congress.
“If we had, we would now have a working framework for e-governance initiatives and applications, especially on universal healthcare, precision farming, disaster risk reduction, e-learning, combatting cybercrime and business regulation,” said Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE). (30)
--
MEDIA GROUP
Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara
Rm. 202, Senate of the Philippines
GSIS Building, CCP Complex, Pasay City
T: 9940204 / 5526601 loc. 5570 / 552-6779 / 552-6852
F: 552-6601 loc.5571
www.edangara.com
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
17 Senators Supports The Department of ICT Bill
Thank you to the 17 Senators who signed the Committee Report No. 53 re-introducing the bill "Creating the Department of information and Communications Technology, defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
iSchools Project Helps a Young Girl’s Dream
This was reposted from the original article published under the Unesco site, written by Angelica E. Serrano of Batangas State University (BatSU)
Sixteen-year old Edith Marie Morada Garingan is an incoming college freshman from Bolbok, Lipa City, Batangas.
Despite her small frame, she beams with positivity. Her eyes overflowed with excitement when she knew that she was going to learn new computer skills. She was one of the participants of the National Rollout Training: ICT Literacy Course in Bolbok National High School in Lipa City.
Together with some of her teachers, Edith Marie has taken baby steps towards learning concepts and skills in ICT.
As a student, she says she remains thankful for the opportunity. The training seems very important for her. “I want to learn more about computer because I want to take Computer Science in college,” Edith Marie said.
Others at her age have their applications for college ready.
Edith Marie has for herself a multitude of plans. One among those plans includes finding a job that will help her finance her studies. She will also look for a scholarship in universities and colleges in Lipa City.
Another is to help her parents, Rosemarie and Gerardo, in re-building their eatery. After these, she will take entrance tests. “My aim is to work immediately after college. Perhaps I will go abroad or work in a company here in our country.” Edith Marie admits.
These are her life sketches. Her mind is brimming with plans.
But how can those plans be possible without money?
Meanwhile, Dr. Christopher Chua of Batangas State University, one of the laboratory assistants in the training, has noted Edith Marie’s excellent performance in the training.
“She finished the exercises quickly. At her age, she looks very serious with what she is doing,” Dr. Chua said. In addition to her other plans, Edith Marie wants to apply as student assistant in college. This way, she won’t have any more problems raising money for her tuition fee.
“What I learn from this training will help me adjust with the demands of college life. If ever I will be admitted as a student assistant, I am more confident because I am equipped with computer skills. I am very thankful that the iSchools Project is there,” she said.
Edith Marie is ready for college with all her plans. If all these fail, she says that she will continue to look for other ways to help finance her college. She is undaunted because in her heart lies the dream to improve a lot in life.
Her unflinching commitment to fulfill her goal is rooted in her desire to help herself and her family.
And the iSchools Project, together with its partner state universities, is only too glad to help the likes of Edith Marie.
Sixteen-year old Edith Marie Morada Garingan is an incoming college freshman from Bolbok, Lipa City, Batangas.
Despite her small frame, she beams with positivity. Her eyes overflowed with excitement when she knew that she was going to learn new computer skills. She was one of the participants of the National Rollout Training: ICT Literacy Course in Bolbok National High School in Lipa City.
Together with some of her teachers, Edith Marie has taken baby steps towards learning concepts and skills in ICT.
As a student, she says she remains thankful for the opportunity. The training seems very important for her. “I want to learn more about computer because I want to take Computer Science in college,” Edith Marie said.
Others at her age have their applications for college ready.
Edith Marie has for herself a multitude of plans. One among those plans includes finding a job that will help her finance her studies. She will also look for a scholarship in universities and colleges in Lipa City.
Another is to help her parents, Rosemarie and Gerardo, in re-building their eatery. After these, she will take entrance tests. “My aim is to work immediately after college. Perhaps I will go abroad or work in a company here in our country.” Edith Marie admits.
These are her life sketches. Her mind is brimming with plans.
But how can those plans be possible without money?
Meanwhile, Dr. Christopher Chua of Batangas State University, one of the laboratory assistants in the training, has noted Edith Marie’s excellent performance in the training.
“She finished the exercises quickly. At her age, she looks very serious with what she is doing,” Dr. Chua said. In addition to her other plans, Edith Marie wants to apply as student assistant in college. This way, she won’t have any more problems raising money for her tuition fee.
“What I learn from this training will help me adjust with the demands of college life. If ever I will be admitted as a student assistant, I am more confident because I am equipped with computer skills. I am very thankful that the iSchools Project is there,” she said.
Edith Marie is ready for college with all her plans. If all these fail, she says that she will continue to look for other ways to help finance her college. She is undaunted because in her heart lies the dream to improve a lot in life.
Her unflinching commitment to fulfill her goal is rooted in her desire to help herself and her family.
And the iSchools Project, together with its partner state universities, is only too glad to help the likes of Edith Marie.
Joint Statement of MACCII and MCICTC Regarding Executive Order 47
This Joint Resolution entered into this 5th day of August, 2011 by and between:
METRO ANGELES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES, INC., a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, represented herein by its President, DR. FRANCISCO L. VILLANUEVA, JR., (hereinafter referred to as “MACCII”);
AND
METRO CLARK ICT COUNCIL, INC. a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, represented herein by its Chairman, ENGR. GEORGE D. SORIO (hereinafter referred to as “MCICTC”)
WHEREAS, the PARTIES are all part of a cluster of chambers located in the Region III and have many common interests aspirations that include the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the region, in particular, and the rest of the country, in general, through the development of globally competitive Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
WHEREAS, the PARTIES are all considered as the voice of business in their corresponding areas and have proactively participated in issues that affect the competitiveness SMEs, the welfare of their workforce, as well as the overall socio-economic welfare of their areas;
WHEREAS, a dynamic ICT sector contributes to making the private sector more productive and competitive while creating new jobs, spurring innovation, and supporting sustained use of ICTs throughout the entire economy;
WHEREAS, the Philippine ICT sector, through the cooperation of the private and public sector, has established itself, as a robust and sustainable sector and first-tier global competitor as evidenced by the following:
1. Philippine manufacturers of semiconductor & electronics is the leading export earner for the country accounting for about two-thirds of the Philippine export value while the Philippine IT BPO sector is the third largest export earner based on net value added,
2. Philippine IT-BPO industry, estimated at $9 billion in 2010, is the fastest growing industry sector with an compounded annual growth rate of about 30% p.a. for the past 5 years and the largest private sector creator of new jobs for the same period accounting for about 2 million direct and indirect employment,
3. Philippine IT BPO-voice, with full time employees (FTEs) estimated at more than 330,000 is the global leader in the in the voice BPO sector while the Philippine IT BPO-non voice,
with FTEs estimated at more than 200,000, is second only to the current global leader, India, and,
4. Philippine IT-BPO sector is poised to hit at least $20 billion by 2016 and even as high as $25 billion with corresponding increase in direct and indirect employment provided the country sustains & foster a stronger public-private partnership;
WHEREAS, much of the success and growth of the ICT sector can be attributed to the pro-active initiatives of the Commission on Information and Communication Technology that promote public-private partnership, a few of which include:
1. Creation of the Philippine Digital Strategy 2011-2015 in consultation with various key stakeholders for a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive ICT sector,
2. Assistance and support for the formation of iCafe Pilipinas,
3. Guidance and technical assistance for the 2010 automated elections,
4. Oversight in the implementation of ICT component in JPEPA
5. Oversight to computerization of elections in 2010
6. Trade promotion for game development, animation, medical transcription, call center and software development sectors
7. Formulation and implementation of strategy for Next Wave Cities, paving the way for the dispersion IT-BPO investments outside of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,
8. Assistance in the formation of more than twenty multi-stakeholder ICT councils in different provinces and cities
9. Support for the networking of ICT councils with industry associations such as the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP)
10. Initiated the iSchools program wherein 1,000 public high schools all over the Philippines were provided with a Wireless Internet Learning Laboratories with 21 computers and multimedia tools; an elibrary management system; and trained more than 20,000 teachers in integrating ICT4BE (ICT for Basic Education) towards bridging the digital divide in public school education
11. Development of over 180 Educational Digital Modules for the out of school youth and adults that are now available with the ALS BALS of Dep Ed,
12. Establishment, in partnership with State Colleges & Universities, of the eQuality program, an initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between academe and industry toward producing courses responsive to the needs of industry,
13. Initiation of the Responsible Use of ICT (an awareness campaign on the responsible use of the Internet; cyber crimes awareness; intellectual property rights and the like..) among students, Out of School Youths and communities, in partnership with Korean ICT council.
14. Support for the formation of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), composed of more than 35 ICT councils of various cities and provinces committed to the vision of transforming the Philippines as the top ideal IT-BPO destination in the world
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 47 dated June 23, 2011 abolished the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the office of the President and, instead, created an ICT Office under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which is contrary to the clamor of industry players who have been praying for the upgrade of the CICT into a cabinet-level agency as is practiced by competing countries like Singapore, India, Malaysia and South Korea;
WHEREAS, the downgrade of the CICT to a mere office under the DOST undermines the role of the former CICT, prejudices the programs and gains that were achieved through the private-public partnership of CICT and the various sectors of the ICT industry and could jeopardize the realization of the growth that is anticipated for the industry;
NOW THEREFORE, the PARTIES hereby declare as one the foregoing resolutions:
1. That the PARTIES would like to humbly and respectfully appeal to the His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Philippines, to reconsider and recall Executive Order No. 47 and restore the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to be under the Office of the President or, better still, to upgrade the same to the Department of Information and Communication Technology;
2. That this resolution be sent to His Excellency, the President, for his reference and consideration; and,
3. That copies of this joint resolution be distributed to relevant government agencies and other concerned stakeholders.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this 5th day of August, 2011.
DR. FRANCISCO L. VILLANUEVA, JR.
President, MACCII
ENGR. GEORGE D. SORIO
Chairman, MCICTC
METRO ANGELES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES, INC., a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, represented herein by its President, DR. FRANCISCO L. VILLANUEVA, JR., (hereinafter referred to as “MACCII”);
AND
METRO CLARK ICT COUNCIL, INC. a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, represented herein by its Chairman, ENGR. GEORGE D. SORIO (hereinafter referred to as “MCICTC”)
WHEREAS, the PARTIES are all part of a cluster of chambers located in the Region III and have many common interests aspirations that include the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the region, in particular, and the rest of the country, in general, through the development of globally competitive Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
WHEREAS, the PARTIES are all considered as the voice of business in their corresponding areas and have proactively participated in issues that affect the competitiveness SMEs, the welfare of their workforce, as well as the overall socio-economic welfare of their areas;
WHEREAS, a dynamic ICT sector contributes to making the private sector more productive and competitive while creating new jobs, spurring innovation, and supporting sustained use of ICTs throughout the entire economy;
WHEREAS, the Philippine ICT sector, through the cooperation of the private and public sector, has established itself, as a robust and sustainable sector and first-tier global competitor as evidenced by the following:
1. Philippine manufacturers of semiconductor & electronics is the leading export earner for the country accounting for about two-thirds of the Philippine export value while the Philippine IT BPO sector is the third largest export earner based on net value added,
2. Philippine IT-BPO industry, estimated at $9 billion in 2010, is the fastest growing industry sector with an compounded annual growth rate of about 30% p.a. for the past 5 years and the largest private sector creator of new jobs for the same period accounting for about 2 million direct and indirect employment,
3. Philippine IT BPO-voice, with full time employees (FTEs) estimated at more than 330,000 is the global leader in the in the voice BPO sector while the Philippine IT BPO-non voice,
with FTEs estimated at more than 200,000, is second only to the current global leader, India, and,
4. Philippine IT-BPO sector is poised to hit at least $20 billion by 2016 and even as high as $25 billion with corresponding increase in direct and indirect employment provided the country sustains & foster a stronger public-private partnership;
WHEREAS, much of the success and growth of the ICT sector can be attributed to the pro-active initiatives of the Commission on Information and Communication Technology that promote public-private partnership, a few of which include:
1. Creation of the Philippine Digital Strategy 2011-2015 in consultation with various key stakeholders for a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive ICT sector,
2. Assistance and support for the formation of iCafe Pilipinas,
3. Guidance and technical assistance for the 2010 automated elections,
4. Oversight in the implementation of ICT component in JPEPA
5. Oversight to computerization of elections in 2010
6. Trade promotion for game development, animation, medical transcription, call center and software development sectors
7. Formulation and implementation of strategy for Next Wave Cities, paving the way for the dispersion IT-BPO investments outside of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,
8. Assistance in the formation of more than twenty multi-stakeholder ICT councils in different provinces and cities
9. Support for the networking of ICT councils with industry associations such as the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP)
10. Initiated the iSchools program wherein 1,000 public high schools all over the Philippines were provided with a Wireless Internet Learning Laboratories with 21 computers and multimedia tools; an elibrary management system; and trained more than 20,000 teachers in integrating ICT4BE (ICT for Basic Education) towards bridging the digital divide in public school education
11. Development of over 180 Educational Digital Modules for the out of school youth and adults that are now available with the ALS BALS of Dep Ed,
12. Establishment, in partnership with State Colleges & Universities, of the eQuality program, an initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between academe and industry toward producing courses responsive to the needs of industry,
13. Initiation of the Responsible Use of ICT (an awareness campaign on the responsible use of the Internet; cyber crimes awareness; intellectual property rights and the like..) among students, Out of School Youths and communities, in partnership with Korean ICT council.
14. Support for the formation of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), composed of more than 35 ICT councils of various cities and provinces committed to the vision of transforming the Philippines as the top ideal IT-BPO destination in the world
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 47 dated June 23, 2011 abolished the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the office of the President and, instead, created an ICT Office under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which is contrary to the clamor of industry players who have been praying for the upgrade of the CICT into a cabinet-level agency as is practiced by competing countries like Singapore, India, Malaysia and South Korea;
WHEREAS, the downgrade of the CICT to a mere office under the DOST undermines the role of the former CICT, prejudices the programs and gains that were achieved through the private-public partnership of CICT and the various sectors of the ICT industry and could jeopardize the realization of the growth that is anticipated for the industry;
NOW THEREFORE, the PARTIES hereby declare as one the foregoing resolutions:
1. That the PARTIES would like to humbly and respectfully appeal to the His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Philippines, to reconsider and recall Executive Order No. 47 and restore the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to be under the Office of the President or, better still, to upgrade the same to the Department of Information and Communication Technology;
2. That this resolution be sent to His Excellency, the President, for his reference and consideration; and,
3. That copies of this joint resolution be distributed to relevant government agencies and other concerned stakeholders.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this 5th day of August, 2011.
DR. FRANCISCO L. VILLANUEVA, JR.
President, MACCII
ENGR. GEORGE D. SORIO
Chairman, MCICTC
Monday, August 1, 2011
NICP Reaction to Black and White Movement Statement on SONA
We sincerely appreciate the recent call of the Black and White Movement for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to “rescind the executive order and restore CICT to the Office of the President to give ICT the importance and attention it deserves” as embodied in their post-SONA public statement.
We particularly highlight and reinforce the portion of their statement, which states as follows:
“We believe that ICT is a major engine for economic growth. Dissolving CICT, the primary agency responsible for the development of ICT through E.O. 47 and transferring its functions to DOST send the wrong signals to the ICT industry and the international community that ICT is not a priority for this government. We urge the President to rescind the executive order and restore CICT to the Office of the President to give ICT the importance and attention it deserves.”
We thank the Black and White Movement for boldly and correctly advising the President. Our respect goes to this movement which despite the fact that it has publicly supported the Aquino presidency in 2010, chose to be objective and not turn a blind eye on a wrong move of Malacanan that will not only hurt the ICT industry and our nation in general but will likewise hamper the goal of the Aquino administration for job generation.
We wish to confirm and re-affirm that by the stand of the Black and White Movement, your movement has indirectly shown concern for all the cities, provinces and regions outside of Metro Manila which have become united under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).
The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines transcend political borders and was formed as a mechanism for collaboration and sharing of best practices among ICT councils and federations of various cities, provinces and regions in our efforts to market our respective locations as IT-BPO investments destinations.
We concur with the Black and White Movement in calling on the current administration to accelerate the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program and start spending more on infrastructure projects “to spur economic activity, generate employment, and allow the benefits of what is turning out to be a robust economy reach all levels of society, even in the midst of a global recession.”
The CICT regardless of its officials had been the symbol of unity for NICP to come together and be connected to other major organizations such as those from the industry, academe and other national line agencies. This is one sterling example of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program that has been proven effective since almost a fourth of the IT-BPO industry or about a hundred thousand of its direct jobs can now be found in the countryside.
The CICT has nurtured our cities, provinces and regions, from the very start, and has patiently guided us as we took our “baby steps” in the very competitive IT-BPO world. Today, many of us are already amongst the top destinations for IT-BPO companies outside of Metro Manila nationally and globally, thereby helping make the Philippines number one in the voice-based sector and third in the outsourcing global market.
But while some of our locations are almost fully-grown, many of us are still in the formative stages, building our competitiveness in the field of human resource development, infrastructure, and business environment. The abolition of the CICT has left our ICT councils orphan and without a catalyst, and unless the CICT is restored, our momentum and eventually our growth will be greatly affected. The Department of Science and Technology can never efficiently take the place of the CICT, given that time is of the essence, the embedded bureaucracy of a department as well as its limited core competencies and mandate.
The NICP is composed of Albay ICT Association, Inc. – Legazpi City ICT Council (AICTA-LCICTC), Aurora ICT Council, Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNEFIT), Inc., Balanga ICT Council, Bataan-Olongapo-Zambales-Subic Educational Development Organization for Information Technology (BOZE-DO-IT), Bohol ICT Council, Bulacan ICT Council, Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council (CDO ICT), CARAGA ICT Council, Cavite ICT Council, Cebu Educational Development Foundation for IT (CEDFIT), City of San Fernando Pampanga ICT Council, ICT Association of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, ICT@Bicol Council, ICT Davao, Inc., ICT Solutions Association of Region 12 - General Santos City (ISA 12-GSC), Iligan City ICT Council (ICICTC), Iloilo Federation for IT (IFIT), Laguna Industry Network for Knowledge, Innovation & Technology Foundation (LINK-IT),Metro Clark ICT Council, Inc. (MCICTCI), Metro Ilocos Norte ICT Council, Northern Samar ICT Council, Nueva Ecija ICT Council and Tarlac ICT Council.
For the NICP:
ATTY. JOCELLE BATAPA-SIGUE
Chair, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)
We particularly highlight and reinforce the portion of their statement, which states as follows:
“We believe that ICT is a major engine for economic growth. Dissolving CICT, the primary agency responsible for the development of ICT through E.O. 47 and transferring its functions to DOST send the wrong signals to the ICT industry and the international community that ICT is not a priority for this government. We urge the President to rescind the executive order and restore CICT to the Office of the President to give ICT the importance and attention it deserves.”
We thank the Black and White Movement for boldly and correctly advising the President. Our respect goes to this movement which despite the fact that it has publicly supported the Aquino presidency in 2010, chose to be objective and not turn a blind eye on a wrong move of Malacanan that will not only hurt the ICT industry and our nation in general but will likewise hamper the goal of the Aquino administration for job generation.
We wish to confirm and re-affirm that by the stand of the Black and White Movement, your movement has indirectly shown concern for all the cities, provinces and regions outside of Metro Manila which have become united under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).
The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines transcend political borders and was formed as a mechanism for collaboration and sharing of best practices among ICT councils and federations of various cities, provinces and regions in our efforts to market our respective locations as IT-BPO investments destinations.
We concur with the Black and White Movement in calling on the current administration to accelerate the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program and start spending more on infrastructure projects “to spur economic activity, generate employment, and allow the benefits of what is turning out to be a robust economy reach all levels of society, even in the midst of a global recession.”
The CICT regardless of its officials had been the symbol of unity for NICP to come together and be connected to other major organizations such as those from the industry, academe and other national line agencies. This is one sterling example of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program that has been proven effective since almost a fourth of the IT-BPO industry or about a hundred thousand of its direct jobs can now be found in the countryside.
The CICT has nurtured our cities, provinces and regions, from the very start, and has patiently guided us as we took our “baby steps” in the very competitive IT-BPO world. Today, many of us are already amongst the top destinations for IT-BPO companies outside of Metro Manila nationally and globally, thereby helping make the Philippines number one in the voice-based sector and third in the outsourcing global market.
But while some of our locations are almost fully-grown, many of us are still in the formative stages, building our competitiveness in the field of human resource development, infrastructure, and business environment. The abolition of the CICT has left our ICT councils orphan and without a catalyst, and unless the CICT is restored, our momentum and eventually our growth will be greatly affected. The Department of Science and Technology can never efficiently take the place of the CICT, given that time is of the essence, the embedded bureaucracy of a department as well as its limited core competencies and mandate.
The NICP is composed of Albay ICT Association, Inc. – Legazpi City ICT Council (AICTA-LCICTC), Aurora ICT Council, Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNEFIT), Inc., Balanga ICT Council, Bataan-Olongapo-Zambales-Subic Educational Development Organization for Information Technology (BOZE-DO-IT), Bohol ICT Council, Bulacan ICT Council, Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council (CDO ICT), CARAGA ICT Council, Cavite ICT Council, Cebu Educational Development Foundation for IT (CEDFIT), City of San Fernando Pampanga ICT Council, ICT Association of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, ICT@Bicol Council, ICT Davao, Inc., ICT Solutions Association of Region 12 - General Santos City (ISA 12-GSC), Iligan City ICT Council (ICICTC), Iloilo Federation for IT (IFIT), Laguna Industry Network for Knowledge, Innovation & Technology Foundation (LINK-IT),Metro Clark ICT Council, Inc. (MCICTCI), Metro Ilocos Norte ICT Council, Northern Samar ICT Council, Nueva Ecija ICT Council and Tarlac ICT Council.
For the NICP:
ATTY. JOCELLE BATAPA-SIGUE
Chair, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Statement of The Black and White Movement Regarding Executive Order 47
Mr.President - "Saan ba patungo ang matuwid na daan?"
As President Benigno S. Aquino III marks his first year in office, the Black and White Movement recommits to support him and his administration in the struggle against poverty and corruption.
We laud this government’s prudent fiscal management which has led to significant savings and higher confidence by the business community here and abroad. We commend the Conditional Cash Transfer program which is beginning to lift the poorest of our poor from the bondage of hunger while committing parents to keeping their children in school and avail of much-needed health services.
At the same time, we hope that in the coming months, the government shall accelerate the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program and start spending more on infrastructure projects to spur economic activity, generate employment, and allow the benefits of what is turning out to be a robust economy reach all levels of society, even in the midst of a global recession. Furthermore, passing the Reproductive Health Bill would provide significant help in poverty reduction.
We believe that ICT is a major engine for economic growth. Dissolving CICT, the primary agency responsible for the development of ICT through E.O. 47 and transferring its functions to DOST send the wrong signals to the ICT industry and the international community that ICT is not a priority for this government. We urge the President to rescind the executive order and restore CICT to the Office of the President to give ICT the importance and attention it deserves.
In the area of corruption eradication, we are encouraged by the cancellation of projects set in motion by the preceding administration that were highly disadvantageous to government. We are gladdened to see that there have been, so far, no hints of scandalous projects on the scale of NBN-ZTE and the Fertilizer Scam in this administration.
We support the unraveling of corruption at the highest levels of the past administration. Moreover, we urge our government to vigorously pursue the filing of cases and seeing through the prosecution of those who our people believe to be guilty. By proving that crime does not pay we can discourage corruption from polluting our future.
However, to Juan de la Cruz, corruption goes on unabated. For example, “kotong cops” continue to victimize motorists and “fixers” in major government agencies still pervade their halls. “Jueteng” lords persist in preying on the little guy looking for a quick way to hit it big, fast. Sadly, it seems the President's message of "matuwid na daan" has not cascaded down to government’s subordinate offices. It's still business as usual in so many of them.
We acknowledge that it will take time to reverse this culture of corruption that has been etched in our minds for decades. "Matuwid na daan" is a narrow road, and it is deplorable that many have chosen to keep on the wide and crooked road of dishonesty. We enjoin every Filipino to join in this crusade against corruption. Government cannot fight the good fight alone.
At the same time, we ask the President to constantly check on those within his closest ranks. Power corrupts, and it is all too easy for some to fall for the lure of instant wealth. Media has called attention to some possibly brewing scandals - these are not always products of black propaganda by the opposition.
We trust that the year just past was enough for this administration to disentangle the crooked ways of the last administration in order to lay the foundation for the straight and narrow road - "ang matuwid na daan".
And now, Mr. President, we'd like to know where that road will lead us. You told us last year that we can dream again. Share your vision with us so we can dream the same dreams.
Mr. President - "Saan ba patungo ang matuwid na daan?" (leahnavarro@gmail.com)
As President Benigno S. Aquino III marks his first year in office, the Black and White Movement recommits to support him and his administration in the struggle against poverty and corruption.
We laud this government’s prudent fiscal management which has led to significant savings and higher confidence by the business community here and abroad. We commend the Conditional Cash Transfer program which is beginning to lift the poorest of our poor from the bondage of hunger while committing parents to keeping their children in school and avail of much-needed health services.
At the same time, we hope that in the coming months, the government shall accelerate the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program and start spending more on infrastructure projects to spur economic activity, generate employment, and allow the benefits of what is turning out to be a robust economy reach all levels of society, even in the midst of a global recession. Furthermore, passing the Reproductive Health Bill would provide significant help in poverty reduction.
We believe that ICT is a major engine for economic growth. Dissolving CICT, the primary agency responsible for the development of ICT through E.O. 47 and transferring its functions to DOST send the wrong signals to the ICT industry and the international community that ICT is not a priority for this government. We urge the President to rescind the executive order and restore CICT to the Office of the President to give ICT the importance and attention it deserves.
In the area of corruption eradication, we are encouraged by the cancellation of projects set in motion by the preceding administration that were highly disadvantageous to government. We are gladdened to see that there have been, so far, no hints of scandalous projects on the scale of NBN-ZTE and the Fertilizer Scam in this administration.
We support the unraveling of corruption at the highest levels of the past administration. Moreover, we urge our government to vigorously pursue the filing of cases and seeing through the prosecution of those who our people believe to be guilty. By proving that crime does not pay we can discourage corruption from polluting our future.
However, to Juan de la Cruz, corruption goes on unabated. For example, “kotong cops” continue to victimize motorists and “fixers” in major government agencies still pervade their halls. “Jueteng” lords persist in preying on the little guy looking for a quick way to hit it big, fast. Sadly, it seems the President's message of "matuwid na daan" has not cascaded down to government’s subordinate offices. It's still business as usual in so many of them.
We acknowledge that it will take time to reverse this culture of corruption that has been etched in our minds for decades. "Matuwid na daan" is a narrow road, and it is deplorable that many have chosen to keep on the wide and crooked road of dishonesty. We enjoin every Filipino to join in this crusade against corruption. Government cannot fight the good fight alone.
At the same time, we ask the President to constantly check on those within his closest ranks. Power corrupts, and it is all too easy for some to fall for the lure of instant wealth. Media has called attention to some possibly brewing scandals - these are not always products of black propaganda by the opposition.
We trust that the year just past was enough for this administration to disentangle the crooked ways of the last administration in order to lay the foundation for the straight and narrow road - "ang matuwid na daan".
And now, Mr. President, we'd like to know where that road will lead us. You told us last year that we can dream again. Share your vision with us so we can dream the same dreams.
Mr. President - "Saan ba patungo ang matuwid na daan?" (leahnavarro@gmail.com)
Wallace’s list
This is an excerpt from Peter Wallace's article. You can read the full article by clicking on this link.
I felt that President Benigno Aquino III’s State-of-the-Nation Address was well delivered. It made some good, important points. But I was concerned that there was no attention given to improving the business climate, despite the fact that this is where he will get the jobs to give the poor an income.
It showed up too in his list of 23 priority bills which were a “mishmash” of legislation. There was no focus, no working toward a desirable goal. No laws to achieve the vision of the president—or create the jobs.
So what should be priority? Let me give you Wallace’s list (with due acknowledgement to the Joint Foreign Chambers and the thought they put into what’s important through their book Arangkada). I’ll focus just on economic issues where I’m more knowledgeable.
Department of Information and Communications Technology. I’ve been badgering the government for this for almost a decade. It would upgrade the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, not downgrade it into an information agency of the Department of Science and Technology as President Aquino, for some peculiar reason, did recently. A full department is essential to give this fastest growing sector of the economy (and one that will dominate it in the years ahead) the full attention and financial support it needs to fully develop. We have to raise public sector focus and usage of e-governance.
Anti-Cybercrime Act. This would define and penalize cybercrimes and computer-facilitated crimes, including data theft, online fraud, hacking, online pornography, introduction of viruses, and computer sabotage. It would create a Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center formulate and implement a national plan of action to address cybercrimes. Existing laws are inadequate to protect individuals and businesses from cybercrimes, so, given the way computers, cellphones, etc are now an ever-increasing part of our lives this is obviously important.
Data Privacy Act. This goes hand-in-hand with the anti-cybercrime bill to protect consumers and promote trust and user confidence in electronic commerce. And as our lives get ever more computerized (a national ID is inevitable, and in my view, desirable) regulations relating to the collection, use, and protection of an individual’s personal data in information and communications systems is essential. This measure, along with DICT and cybercrime, is seen to enhance the competitiveness of the local ICT-BPO industry.
Anti-Trust Act (Competition policy). This would promote a level playing field in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities, and rid the country of abusive monopolies, cartels and anti-competitive behavior. It would create a central enforcement agency to investigate cartels and impose or recommend punishment/ penalties on erring firms found to limit or hinder competition. This law’s urgency is highlighted by the recent issuance of an Executive Order designating the Justice Department as the country’s competition authority. We think promoting a level playing field should be a responsibility of the DTI—assisted by the DOJ. The Justice Department can’t be expected to understand the complexities of commercial endeavors.
Anti-Money Laundering Act Amendments—This would reinforce the law by making it compliant with updated international anti-money laundering/ counter-terrorist financing standards. Amendments would expand the current list of unlawful activities to include terrorism and terrorist financing, and human trafficking. These are areas where the Philippines is vulnerable.
Anti-Smuggling Act. This would create an Office of a Deputy Commissioner for audit and transparency and strengthens the anti-smuggling efforts of the Bureau of Customs. Given the horror stories of the immense level of smuggling that occurs, the need for this is blindingly obvious—unless of course you are among the ones doing it. In the Bureau of Customs, some P100 billion is lost annually due to smuggling.
Sin Tax Law Amendments. I’ve written quite extensively about this before, just recently (see my July 8 column) pointing out the health risks of smoking. The opposition to increases in the taxes on liquor can be resolved by leaving liquor to a later date. There’s no real opposition to higher taxes on cigarettes, so let’s just do it. Changes could raise much-needed revenues and provide a fair playing field. Government could raise an additional P40 billion to P60 billion annually by doing this, more than enough to provide universal healthcare for all Filipinos, and fund many other social programs.
Public Utilities Act Amendments. This I particularly like as it would lift nationality requirements in the exploration and utilization of all natural resources, all areas of investments, all public utilities, all educational institutions, all fields of mass media and advertising. I’m just not sure if it can get past an inevitable constitutional challenge. It may need the latest suggestion, which I like, which is to have both Houses of Congress agree on amendments to the economic sections of the constitution that can then go to a vote (plebiscite) of the people.
BSP Charter Amendments Act. The BSP under Governor Amando Tetangco has done an excellent job of controlling the monetary sector and keeping inflation in check. Still, it needs to strengthen its regulatory and supervisory powers and be able to make prompt corrective measures, incorporate fit and proper rules, and ensure the protection of bank examiners much more effectively that the current law allows. It would also compel the restructuring and rehabilitation of distressed banks and impose higher fines and penalties on bank owners and management.
EPIRA Amendments. These have been pushed by some sectors in business as it accelerates the implementation of retail competition and open access in the electric power industry. I’m in two minds about this one. It’s a complicated process and is unlikely to achieve its main goal—reduction of power cost. Nonetheless open access is now a mandated process so must be done—but not accelerated. It will take time to put a workable system in place, to rush it would be a big mistake.
Finally, peripherally related to business is the Freedom of Access to Information Act. This would make available for public scrutiny all information pertaining to official acts (republic acts, administrative orders, etc.), transactions or decisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy development. It would give the citizens access to information from all government offices. More than 150 media and civil society groups and agencies, including the World Bank and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, have expressed support for the swift passage of the bill. This bill should not, in fact, be needed as all it needs is for the President to order it done by all departments. But as he hasn’t, and as another president may emulate the tight-lipped Arroyo if there’s no law, it is needed.
I felt that President Benigno Aquino III’s State-of-the-Nation Address was well delivered. It made some good, important points. But I was concerned that there was no attention given to improving the business climate, despite the fact that this is where he will get the jobs to give the poor an income.
It showed up too in his list of 23 priority bills which were a “mishmash” of legislation. There was no focus, no working toward a desirable goal. No laws to achieve the vision of the president—or create the jobs.
So what should be priority? Let me give you Wallace’s list (with due acknowledgement to the Joint Foreign Chambers and the thought they put into what’s important through their book Arangkada). I’ll focus just on economic issues where I’m more knowledgeable.
Department of Information and Communications Technology. I’ve been badgering the government for this for almost a decade. It would upgrade the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, not downgrade it into an information agency of the Department of Science and Technology as President Aquino, for some peculiar reason, did recently. A full department is essential to give this fastest growing sector of the economy (and one that will dominate it in the years ahead) the full attention and financial support it needs to fully develop. We have to raise public sector focus and usage of e-governance.
Anti-Cybercrime Act. This would define and penalize cybercrimes and computer-facilitated crimes, including data theft, online fraud, hacking, online pornography, introduction of viruses, and computer sabotage. It would create a Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center formulate and implement a national plan of action to address cybercrimes. Existing laws are inadequate to protect individuals and businesses from cybercrimes, so, given the way computers, cellphones, etc are now an ever-increasing part of our lives this is obviously important.
Data Privacy Act. This goes hand-in-hand with the anti-cybercrime bill to protect consumers and promote trust and user confidence in electronic commerce. And as our lives get ever more computerized (a national ID is inevitable, and in my view, desirable) regulations relating to the collection, use, and protection of an individual’s personal data in information and communications systems is essential. This measure, along with DICT and cybercrime, is seen to enhance the competitiveness of the local ICT-BPO industry.
Anti-Trust Act (Competition policy). This would promote a level playing field in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities, and rid the country of abusive monopolies, cartels and anti-competitive behavior. It would create a central enforcement agency to investigate cartels and impose or recommend punishment/ penalties on erring firms found to limit or hinder competition. This law’s urgency is highlighted by the recent issuance of an Executive Order designating the Justice Department as the country’s competition authority. We think promoting a level playing field should be a responsibility of the DTI—assisted by the DOJ. The Justice Department can’t be expected to understand the complexities of commercial endeavors.
Anti-Money Laundering Act Amendments—This would reinforce the law by making it compliant with updated international anti-money laundering/ counter-terrorist financing standards. Amendments would expand the current list of unlawful activities to include terrorism and terrorist financing, and human trafficking. These are areas where the Philippines is vulnerable.
Anti-Smuggling Act. This would create an Office of a Deputy Commissioner for audit and transparency and strengthens the anti-smuggling efforts of the Bureau of Customs. Given the horror stories of the immense level of smuggling that occurs, the need for this is blindingly obvious—unless of course you are among the ones doing it. In the Bureau of Customs, some P100 billion is lost annually due to smuggling.
Sin Tax Law Amendments. I’ve written quite extensively about this before, just recently (see my July 8 column) pointing out the health risks of smoking. The opposition to increases in the taxes on liquor can be resolved by leaving liquor to a later date. There’s no real opposition to higher taxes on cigarettes, so let’s just do it. Changes could raise much-needed revenues and provide a fair playing field. Government could raise an additional P40 billion to P60 billion annually by doing this, more than enough to provide universal healthcare for all Filipinos, and fund many other social programs.
Public Utilities Act Amendments. This I particularly like as it would lift nationality requirements in the exploration and utilization of all natural resources, all areas of investments, all public utilities, all educational institutions, all fields of mass media and advertising. I’m just not sure if it can get past an inevitable constitutional challenge. It may need the latest suggestion, which I like, which is to have both Houses of Congress agree on amendments to the economic sections of the constitution that can then go to a vote (plebiscite) of the people.
BSP Charter Amendments Act. The BSP under Governor Amando Tetangco has done an excellent job of controlling the monetary sector and keeping inflation in check. Still, it needs to strengthen its regulatory and supervisory powers and be able to make prompt corrective measures, incorporate fit and proper rules, and ensure the protection of bank examiners much more effectively that the current law allows. It would also compel the restructuring and rehabilitation of distressed banks and impose higher fines and penalties on bank owners and management.
EPIRA Amendments. These have been pushed by some sectors in business as it accelerates the implementation of retail competition and open access in the electric power industry. I’m in two minds about this one. It’s a complicated process and is unlikely to achieve its main goal—reduction of power cost. Nonetheless open access is now a mandated process so must be done—but not accelerated. It will take time to put a workable system in place, to rush it would be a big mistake.
Finally, peripherally related to business is the Freedom of Access to Information Act. This would make available for public scrutiny all information pertaining to official acts (republic acts, administrative orders, etc.), transactions or decisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy development. It would give the citizens access to information from all government offices. More than 150 media and civil society groups and agencies, including the World Bank and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, have expressed support for the swift passage of the bill. This bill should not, in fact, be needed as all it needs is for the President to order it done by all departments. But as he hasn’t, and as another president may emulate the tight-lipped Arroyo if there’s no law, it is needed.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Letter of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. to President Aquino
(dated July 18, 2011)
Resolution 03-2011e: Resolution Urging the City Government to Endorse the Creation of the Department of Information and Communication Technology. Recently, the ICT sectors expressed their disappointment and disbelief over Executive Order No. 47 which dissolved the Commission on ICT without any consultation. Along this line, we continue to push for the creation of a Department of ICT.(Shared today by ICT Davao, Inc.)
Resolution 03-2011e: Resolution Urging the City Government to Endorse the Creation of the Department of Information and Communication Technology. Recently, the ICT sectors expressed their disappointment and disbelief over Executive Order No. 47 which dissolved the Commission on ICT without any consultation. Along this line, we continue to push for the creation of a Department of ICT.(Shared today by ICT Davao, Inc.)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Information and Communication Technology as a Catalyst in the Nation’s Growth
Hon. Sigfrido R. Tinga
2nd District, Taguig City
ICT is a channel for a free and empowered media
I raise these issues in this chamber not because I can, but because I should. For the last nine years I have been on the receiving end of malicious lies and negative publicity. I have been lambasted many times, in this very same chamber by my political opponents. They are very astute in the art of black propaganda “ Kilala niyo naman sila. Magaling sa dada at sa siraan.” “Kahapon lamang ay may nahuling junkshop operator ang isa sa aming mga barangay, na nagbebenta ng transmission at iba pang pyesa ng sasakyan na pagaari ng lungsod ng Taguig.” These were the same vehicles that our administration turned over to Taguig City Hall’s current tenants. “Sinasabi ko to dahil baka na naman mabaliktad nila ang kwento sa media.” In a little more than a month Taguig has derteriorated into anarchy and chaos, “tapos sa amin ibibintang”
Traditional media is noisy and brash but subject to limitations. And sometimes because of this, facts are mangled and the truth comes out distorted
But lies have a way of running out of steam if they keep coming from the same source. And the presence of so many media channels, both old and new, serve to discredit false accusations. No matter how much our opponents distort the truth; no matter what dirt our opponents can throw at us, they cannot deny our achievements in the management and development of the City of Taguig.
PR has always been a part of our world, and now ICT is providing a new channel for a free and empowered media. It is a medium that should not be taken for granted for we run the risk of being made irrelevant should we do so.
In the U.S. newspaper circulation is in a steep decline, despite an increasing population. Readership of online newspapers and the resultant online advertising spend have gone up significantly. The era of print, TV and radio as our dominant source for news and entertainment will be coming to an end.
Media sources will be battling it out on the internet, were your size and connections are secondary to the way you package content. For better or for worse, the internet is a more democratic and more volatile media channel which makes it difficult to dominate or to censor. Mass media is being replaced by social media.
By the end of this year, 96 % of generation Y (these are today’s below 30 crowd) will have joined a social network. The primary beneficiary of this is Facebook. It took Radio 38 Years to reach 50 million users; TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years), while Facebook added 200 million users in less than a year. In fact, if Facebook were a country, it would be the third largest country in the world today. Social Media is so pervasive that it has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web
On any given day there are more than 1.5 million pieces of content shared and 2.6 billion aggregate minutes spent on Facebook ; over 100 million YouTube videos viewed; over 900,000 blogs posted; 3,000,000 Tweets and 2,000,000,000 (two billion) Google searches.
So effective is social media in getting its message across that it has permanently changed the rules of marketing There are over 130,000,000 blogs in existence. Of this number 34% of bloggers post opinions about products & brands; while 77% of active Internet users read them. Today, 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations, while only 14% still trust advertisements.
It is truly a brave new world. So while it is easier than ever to reach a large audience, it is harder than ever to really connect with it. “Hindi na pwede yung maingay ka lang at umaasa ka na dahil dada ka nag dada ay papakinggan ka” Successful companies and personalities in social media will have to learn to listen first, before selling. So in the near future we will no longer search for products and services, instead they will find us via social media. “Hindi ka na maghahanap ng gusto mo. Ikaw na ang hahanapin. Kunga ang hilig mo ay
--
ICT is a catalyst for poverty alleviation
Just as ICT is changing the rules in marketing, it has also dramatically changed the economic landscape. In looking at the difference between developed countries and the also-rans it is fairly obvious that technology has played a large part in the difference in our economies. The digital divide is a big reason for the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
Our consolation here is that technology is not a mineral or a natural resource that is a possession of only a few. Technology can be cultivated and nurtured in one’s culture and economy. And if done properly, technological advancements can become the impetus of wealth sharing amongst classes. ICT is a catalyst for poverty alleviation
Human history has taught us that the strong beat the weak, but lately we are seeing more and more of the smart beating the strong.
Companies such as Google and Facebook did not exist 10 years and yet today have billions of dollars in market capitalization. These companies and others like them have created rags to riches stories amongst its employees and network of partners. As I initially stated in this speech, ICT will become the Philippine’s primary catalyst for economic growth and job creation.
And as the new economy requires new rules for doing business, so should we have new paradigms in the sharing of wealth. The rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer is a recipe for social unrest. Capitalism must grow a conscience.
Businesses must realize that helping out and building better communities can be more important, and in the long run more profitable than just focusing on the bottom line
I am talking beyond the normal corporate social responsibility that most companies practice. Given the right inducements these companies can be made to participate in the fundamental mechanisms needed for our country’s growth.
SMS taxation has always been a touchy issue with the Telcos, so let them provide free internet access to learning institutions instead so that a win-win-win solution is created.
Give the BPO industry the incentives they require, and in return let them configure and run the country’s 911 help line. And while we are at it private colleges and universities can be given an even lower tax rate in return for them setting aside 20% of their enrollment for deserving public school scholars, so as to decongest our public school system.
--
ICT legislation
Information and communication technology are turning the world inside-out and upside down. Old rules and conventions don’t seem to apply anymore.
In these changing times it is okay to be irreverent but not irrelevant, because if you don’t like change you are going to
like irrelevance even less. Kudos must be given to Malacanan on the selection of Secretary Ivan Uy as Chairman of the Commision on ICT.
I go back to world economic forum report that was presented earlier were the Philippines ranked 85th of a 133 countries. Many of those factors we can address:
Is Government Ready?
Burden of government regulation -113th
Total tax rate – 95th
Time required to start a business - 115th
No. of procedures required to start a business – 122nd
Effectiveness of law-making bodies - 116th
Government prioritization of ICT – 97th
Gov’t. procurement of advanced tech. products – 119th
Importance of ICT to gov’t vision of the future – 96th
Is the Legal System Ready?
Intellectual property protection – 98th
Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes - 123rd
Is the Infrastructure Sufficient?
Number of telephone lines – 104th
Residential monthly telephone subscription – 117th
Business telephone connection charge – 87th
Business monthly telephone subscription – 119th
Secure Internet servers - 86th
Internet bandwidth – 94th
Internet users - 107th
Electricity production -102nd
Is the Educational System Ready?
Availability of scientists and engineers – 95th
Quality of scientific research institutions – 102nd
Education expenditure – 118th
Quality of math and science education – 94th
Local availability of research and training – 83rd
University-industry collaboration in R&D – 89th
Internet access in schools - 66th
Are we ready for the future?
Creative industries exports - 37th
High-tech exports - 7th
As I was clearing out my office for my move to congress found a floppy disk on my desk. It guess it just serves to remind me how much has changed in that span of time.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the one thing that remains constant is change. And if we are going to dream big and go after big goals, then we have to make big changes. And you cannot make big changes by taking tiny steps.
“Dati walang may alam kung saan ang Taguig. Pinagtatawanan kami… Ngayon pwede na kaming taas noo magmalaki kahit kanino na ito ang bayan namin.”
I have been in Congress for two weeks and it has already been a different experience. I have heard the term Circus Maximus used to describe our group, but I also see that we have the potential to do more than any other congress before us, not because of the personalities we have here but because of the times we live in.
It is important to remind ourselves that this really isn’t about technology… it is about people… it is about the little guy, with
a whirlwind of ideas, who is trying make a difference in this world.
This congress should be about that little guy. About giving that little guy the break he or she needs. Just like the little guy who grew up in poverty, but is now the pound for pound boxing champion of the world. Or the little guy who uses his” kariton” to bring education to the poor kids on the street. Or the little guy who worked his way up the ladder, and through hard work and good performance is now chairman of the Commission of Information & Communication Technology – Kudos Malacanang on the appointment of Secretary Ivan Uy, great choice.
That ladies and gentlemen is the task that is set before us. To transform this country into a democratic, socially just, globally competitive, self reliant and progressive economy.
If a poor, skinny lad from General Santos could become world champion; and if a small, unheard of town along Laguna de bay could become a global investment destination. I don’t see why we can’t make this country into a nation we can all be proud of
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
2nd District, Taguig City
ICT is a channel for a free and empowered media
I raise these issues in this chamber not because I can, but because I should. For the last nine years I have been on the receiving end of malicious lies and negative publicity. I have been lambasted many times, in this very same chamber by my political opponents. They are very astute in the art of black propaganda “ Kilala niyo naman sila. Magaling sa dada at sa siraan.” “Kahapon lamang ay may nahuling junkshop operator ang isa sa aming mga barangay, na nagbebenta ng transmission at iba pang pyesa ng sasakyan na pagaari ng lungsod ng Taguig.” These were the same vehicles that our administration turned over to Taguig City Hall’s current tenants. “Sinasabi ko to dahil baka na naman mabaliktad nila ang kwento sa media.” In a little more than a month Taguig has derteriorated into anarchy and chaos, “tapos sa amin ibibintang”
Traditional media is noisy and brash but subject to limitations. And sometimes because of this, facts are mangled and the truth comes out distorted
But lies have a way of running out of steam if they keep coming from the same source. And the presence of so many media channels, both old and new, serve to discredit false accusations. No matter how much our opponents distort the truth; no matter what dirt our opponents can throw at us, they cannot deny our achievements in the management and development of the City of Taguig.
PR has always been a part of our world, and now ICT is providing a new channel for a free and empowered media. It is a medium that should not be taken for granted for we run the risk of being made irrelevant should we do so.
In the U.S. newspaper circulation is in a steep decline, despite an increasing population. Readership of online newspapers and the resultant online advertising spend have gone up significantly. The era of print, TV and radio as our dominant source for news and entertainment will be coming to an end.
Media sources will be battling it out on the internet, were your size and connections are secondary to the way you package content. For better or for worse, the internet is a more democratic and more volatile media channel which makes it difficult to dominate or to censor. Mass media is being replaced by social media.
By the end of this year, 96 % of generation Y (these are today’s below 30 crowd) will have joined a social network. The primary beneficiary of this is Facebook. It took Radio 38 Years to reach 50 million users; TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years), while Facebook added 200 million users in less than a year. In fact, if Facebook were a country, it would be the third largest country in the world today. Social Media is so pervasive that it has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web
On any given day there are more than 1.5 million pieces of content shared and 2.6 billion aggregate minutes spent on Facebook ; over 100 million YouTube videos viewed; over 900,000 blogs posted; 3,000,000 Tweets and 2,000,000,000 (two billion) Google searches.
So effective is social media in getting its message across that it has permanently changed the rules of marketing There are over 130,000,000 blogs in existence. Of this number 34% of bloggers post opinions about products & brands; while 77% of active Internet users read them. Today, 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations, while only 14% still trust advertisements.
It is truly a brave new world. So while it is easier than ever to reach a large audience, it is harder than ever to really connect with it. “Hindi na pwede yung maingay ka lang at umaasa ka na dahil dada ka nag dada ay papakinggan ka” Successful companies and personalities in social media will have to learn to listen first, before selling. So in the near future we will no longer search for products and services, instead they will find us via social media. “Hindi ka na maghahanap ng gusto mo. Ikaw na ang hahanapin. Kunga ang hilig mo ay
--
ICT is a catalyst for poverty alleviation
Just as ICT is changing the rules in marketing, it has also dramatically changed the economic landscape. In looking at the difference between developed countries and the also-rans it is fairly obvious that technology has played a large part in the difference in our economies. The digital divide is a big reason for the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
Our consolation here is that technology is not a mineral or a natural resource that is a possession of only a few. Technology can be cultivated and nurtured in one’s culture and economy. And if done properly, technological advancements can become the impetus of wealth sharing amongst classes. ICT is a catalyst for poverty alleviation
Human history has taught us that the strong beat the weak, but lately we are seeing more and more of the smart beating the strong.
Companies such as Google and Facebook did not exist 10 years and yet today have billions of dollars in market capitalization. These companies and others like them have created rags to riches stories amongst its employees and network of partners. As I initially stated in this speech, ICT will become the Philippine’s primary catalyst for economic growth and job creation.
And as the new economy requires new rules for doing business, so should we have new paradigms in the sharing of wealth. The rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer is a recipe for social unrest. Capitalism must grow a conscience.
Businesses must realize that helping out and building better communities can be more important, and in the long run more profitable than just focusing on the bottom line
I am talking beyond the normal corporate social responsibility that most companies practice. Given the right inducements these companies can be made to participate in the fundamental mechanisms needed for our country’s growth.
SMS taxation has always been a touchy issue with the Telcos, so let them provide free internet access to learning institutions instead so that a win-win-win solution is created.
Give the BPO industry the incentives they require, and in return let them configure and run the country’s 911 help line. And while we are at it private colleges and universities can be given an even lower tax rate in return for them setting aside 20% of their enrollment for deserving public school scholars, so as to decongest our public school system.
--
ICT legislation
Information and communication technology are turning the world inside-out and upside down. Old rules and conventions don’t seem to apply anymore.
In these changing times it is okay to be irreverent but not irrelevant, because if you don’t like change you are going to
like irrelevance even less. Kudos must be given to Malacanan on the selection of Secretary Ivan Uy as Chairman of the Commision on ICT.
I go back to world economic forum report that was presented earlier were the Philippines ranked 85th of a 133 countries. Many of those factors we can address:
Is Government Ready?
Burden of government regulation -113th
Total tax rate – 95th
Time required to start a business - 115th
No. of procedures required to start a business – 122nd
Effectiveness of law-making bodies - 116th
Government prioritization of ICT – 97th
Gov’t. procurement of advanced tech. products – 119th
Importance of ICT to gov’t vision of the future – 96th
Is the Legal System Ready?
Intellectual property protection – 98th
Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes - 123rd
Is the Infrastructure Sufficient?
Number of telephone lines – 104th
Residential monthly telephone subscription – 117th
Business telephone connection charge – 87th
Business monthly telephone subscription – 119th
Secure Internet servers - 86th
Internet bandwidth – 94th
Internet users - 107th
Electricity production -102nd
Is the Educational System Ready?
Availability of scientists and engineers – 95th
Quality of scientific research institutions – 102nd
Education expenditure – 118th
Quality of math and science education – 94th
Local availability of research and training – 83rd
University-industry collaboration in R&D – 89th
Internet access in schools - 66th
Are we ready for the future?
Creative industries exports - 37th
High-tech exports - 7th
As I was clearing out my office for my move to congress found a floppy disk on my desk. It guess it just serves to remind me how much has changed in that span of time.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the one thing that remains constant is change. And if we are going to dream big and go after big goals, then we have to make big changes. And you cannot make big changes by taking tiny steps.
“Dati walang may alam kung saan ang Taguig. Pinagtatawanan kami… Ngayon pwede na kaming taas noo magmalaki kahit kanino na ito ang bayan namin.”
I have been in Congress for two weeks and it has already been a different experience. I have heard the term Circus Maximus used to describe our group, but I also see that we have the potential to do more than any other congress before us, not because of the personalities we have here but because of the times we live in.
It is important to remind ourselves that this really isn’t about technology… it is about people… it is about the little guy, with
a whirlwind of ideas, who is trying make a difference in this world.
This congress should be about that little guy. About giving that little guy the break he or she needs. Just like the little guy who grew up in poverty, but is now the pound for pound boxing champion of the world. Or the little guy who uses his” kariton” to bring education to the poor kids on the street. Or the little guy who worked his way up the ladder, and through hard work and good performance is now chairman of the Commission of Information & Communication Technology – Kudos Malacanang on the appointment of Secretary Ivan Uy, great choice.
That ladies and gentlemen is the task that is set before us. To transform this country into a democratic, socially just, globally competitive, self reliant and progressive economy.
If a poor, skinny lad from General Santos could become world champion; and if a small, unheard of town along Laguna de bay could become a global investment destination. I don’t see why we can’t make this country into a nation we can all be proud of
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Statement of the IT Association of the Philippines (ITAP) Regarding Executive Order 47
We, the members of ITAP (IT Association of the Philippines), are saddened by the issuance of EO 47. The abolition of CICT and the formation of ICTO is such a big change to the ICT sector that announcing it without the benefit of extensive stakeholder consultation is unexpected.
We call upon the Philippine government to engage the ICT industry in deeper collaborative dialogue with all stakeholders especially in the development and execution of public policy on ICT.
We call upon the Philippine government to urgently draft and implement an ICT Master Plan as the previous plan was for the period 2006 to 2010, and is badly in need of an update. The ICT Master Plan should include strategies for bringing Internet Access and Digital Literacy to the citizenry, for utilizing ICT for Transparent and Efficient Delivery of Government Services, and for using ICT for Inclusive Development.
Finally, we call upon our government to create a Cabinet Level position to oversee our National ICT Agenda because we believe that ICT is so strategic and critical to enhancing our national competitiveness and accelerating our economic development.
By ITAP 2011 Board of Directors
We call upon the Philippine government to engage the ICT industry in deeper collaborative dialogue with all stakeholders especially in the development and execution of public policy on ICT.
We call upon the Philippine government to urgently draft and implement an ICT Master Plan as the previous plan was for the period 2006 to 2010, and is badly in need of an update. The ICT Master Plan should include strategies for bringing Internet Access and Digital Literacy to the citizenry, for utilizing ICT for Transparent and Efficient Delivery of Government Services, and for using ICT for Inclusive Development.
Finally, we call upon our government to create a Cabinet Level position to oversee our National ICT Agenda because we believe that ICT is so strategic and critical to enhancing our national competitiveness and accelerating our economic development.
By ITAP 2011 Board of Directors
Friday, July 22, 2011
22 July 2011 As A Day of Mourning
As a sign of support to the former Commssion on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), we are observing 22 July 2011 as a day of mourning. We've created the CICT eBook, created to commemorate this event.
You can download the updated ebook by clicking on this link: CICT eBook
For questions, please email Atty Jocelle Batapa-Sigue at: nicp.secretariat@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Achievements: Through the eSkwela Project
1. Managed development of e-modules and e-module guides for DepEd's Alternative Learning System (ALS). To date, 148 e-modules and 88 e-module guides have been developed in collaboration with partner State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and DepEd, and are now being used at the eSkwela Centers.2. Mobilized support for the establishment of 95 eSkwela Centers across the country that are being sustained by local partners (LGUs, NGOs, DepEd division offices, private schools, civic groups and local businesses).
3. Trained a total of 1,733 people who would contribute to project implementation, including capability building activities for ALS teachers and officials from DepEd and local partners on ICT-enhanced learning for out-of-school youth and adults.
4. The eSkwela Centers have served an estimated 6,300 out-of-school youth and adult learners since 2007
The eSkwela project was cited by UNESCO through a Certificate of Commendation from the ICT in Education Innovation Awards 2007-2008. It was recently conferred an Honorable Mention by the 2010 UNESCO King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education and a Laureate by the 2011 Computerworld Honors Program.
Website: http://alseskwela.ning.com
Monday, July 18, 2011
Press Statement
In behalf of all the organizations and individuals that are strongly urging His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, to restore the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) which was dissolved by virtue of Executive Order No. 47, we are publicizing this list of major accomplishments of CICT as contributed by all the stakeholders this past weeks. These are just among the many accomplishments of CICT.
We are saddened that many individuals including top-level executives are unaware of the works of CICT so as to halt its operations, and with the commentaries of so-called ICT professionals that CICT has not done anything.
As stakeholders, we have observed that ICT events and programs are never as newsworthy and controversial as other stories, that we are not surprised that a big sector of our population are unaware of the extent to the impact that will be caused by the abolition of the CICT.
Reference:
http://www.philcecnet.ph
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/
http://www.ncc.gov.ph/
http://ischools.ph
We are saddened that many individuals including top-level executives are unaware of the works of CICT so as to halt its operations, and with the commentaries of so-called ICT professionals that CICT has not done anything.
As stakeholders, we have observed that ICT events and programs are never as newsworthy and controversial as other stories, that we are not surprised that a big sector of our population are unaware of the extent to the impact that will be caused by the abolition of the CICT.
- Initiated and supported the formation of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), composed of more than 35 ICT councils of various cities and provinces committed to the vision of transforming the Philippines as the top ideal IT-BPO destination in the world
- The 2010 automated elections that was under the guidance and direction of CICT. When the legislature was amending the law to automate the elections, one of the CICT commissioners was chairman of the Senate's Technical Working Group, and another was chairman of the House's TWG. The resulting law (RA 9369) is a law that is tech-neutral and will continue to serve the country and its electorate for many years to come. Sec. Ray Roxas Chua and the CICT TWG did a great job of ensuring transparency in the the whole process from bidding to actual implementation. Because of the automated elections, results were known just within days, and there was general public confidence -- for the first time in recent history -- in the fairness and validity of the poll results. And except for a few places, the elections were also free from the usual violence that marred the actual ballot casting, counting and canvassing.
- Initiated and led the creation of the Philippine Digital Strategy 2011-2015 in consultation with various key stakeholders for A digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership.
- Assisted and supported formation of iCafe Pilipinas
- Oversee implementation of ICT component in JPEPA
- Provide oversight to computerization of elections in 2010
- Bankroll trade promotion for game development, animation, medical transcription, call center and software development sectors
- Formulated and implemented strategy for Next Wave Cities - which enabled the dispersion of IT-BPO investments outside of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, formulate and implement strategy for Cyber-Corridor - which guided telecommunications investments across provinces that lacked broadband last-mile connections.
- Assisted in the formation of more than twenty multi-stakeholder ICT councils in different provinces and cities
- Encourage and supported the networking of ICT councils with industry associations such as the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and undertook ICT-BPO road shows to the provinces
- Initiated the iSchools program wherein 1,000 public high schools all over the Philippines were provided with a Wireless Internet Learning Laboratories with 21 computers and multimedia tools; an elibrary management system; and trained more than 20,000 teachers in integrating ICT4BE (ICT for Basic Education) towards bridging the digital divide in public school education
- Developed over 180 Modules converting it into Digital Modules for the Out of School Youth and Adult. This is already available with the ALS BALS of Dep Ed.. This is thru the eSkwela Project and the Content Development Project of CICT-HCDG.
- Conducted PC Recycling and E-Waste Management for over 600 public high schools and trained over 2,000 ICT Coordinators and Lab Managers from public high schools beyond those covered by the iSchools Project in 2007 and 2008. Currently conducting PC Recycling 2.0 in 400 public high schools all over the country.
- The eQuality program, which is a partnership between the Human Capital Development Group of the CICT and State Colleges and Universities (SUC), seeks to bridge the gap between academe and industry, in the hope of producing FIlipino ICT professionals prepared to meet the needs of emerging ICT industries in the country. CICT has conducted more than a dozen trainer's training to enhance the Human ICT Resources of the partner SUCs. The SUCs have then become the front liners of CICT in implementing flagship programs such as iSchools, eSkwela, Creative Content Development and PC Recycling.
- CICT also has initiated the Responsible Use of ICT (an awareness campaign on the responsible use of the Internet; cyber crimes awareness; intellectual property rights and the like..) among students, Out of School Youths and communities, in partnership with Korean ICT council.
Reference:
http://www.philcecnet.ph
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/
http://www.ncc.gov.ph/
http://ischools.ph
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Create DICT campaign
For those who wants to move on to the CREATE DICT campaign. This site is for you.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/13/i-support-the-bill-creating-department-of-information-and-communications-technology/
Target: Congress of the Philippines
Sponsored by: Information and Commnunication Technology Council of Davao / National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
By the creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) the State binds itself to promote the utilization of ICT as a vital tool for nation-building and economic growth that is government-enabled, private sector-led, citizen-centric and market-based.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/13/i-support-the-bill-creating-department-of-information-and-communications-technology/
Target: Congress of the Philippines
Sponsored by: Information and Commnunication Technology Council of Davao / National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
By the creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) the State binds itself to promote the utilization of ICT as a vital tool for nation-building and economic growth that is government-enabled, private sector-led, citizen-centric and market-based.
Achievements: Manila Digital Divide. Is Aquino afraid of ICT, or his Boys?
You can read the full article by following this link:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/242587
Snippets taken from the article written by Frank A. Hilario
MANILA - In the digital world, a Downgrade is an abomination, while an Upgrade is in fact an affirmation. With Philippine ICT, Senator Edgardo Angara wants an Upgrade; President Noynoy Aquino orders a Downgrade, so now we have The Manila Digital Divide - if you're not with IT, you're against IT.
When it comes to power, let me put it this way:
A Commission has influence; an Office is under the influence.
Remember, the Commission was under the Office of the President - to downgrade the Commission right after that monumental announcement by the Commission is more than just deleting a website the day after its existence was announced to the world with much fanfare - it was digital suicide. After 24 hours of exposure in the knowledge universe, you sent your own website, folders and all, to the Recycle Bin?!
If those ICT Boys don't know much about the role of information and communications technologies in getting a Third World country like the Philippines to a First World status, what have they been doing with their office-issue Internet-ready laptops?
If those ICT Boys don't appreciate what Angara is saying that the ICT Department "will play a central role in ensuring that the country's business process outsourcing (BPO) industry will continue to expand and generate employment," have they just been emailing their friends?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the Philippines, Myanmar and Timor-Leste are the only countries left with no ICT Departments of their own, have they just been tweeting away their Internet time?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the BPO industry in the Philippines can surpass the remittances from the overseas Filipinos within 5 years, have they just been socializing via Facebook?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the BPO sector is currently worth US $9 billion and employs about half a million Filipinos, with the potential to grow to $25 billion by 2016 employing 1.3 million, have they just been blogging away their insecurities?
If those ICT Boys didn't know that the country has just celebrated the National ICT Month in June ending with the release of the Philippine Digital Strategy under the leadership of the ICT Commission, have they just been monitoring the status of the President by watching him on YouTube?
If those ICT Boys think of ICT as only so much Facebook and Twitter, IBM and Dell, Nokia and Blackberry, what have they been doing in Internet forums?
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/242587
Snippets taken from the article written by Frank A. Hilario
MANILA - In the digital world, a Downgrade is an abomination, while an Upgrade is in fact an affirmation. With Philippine ICT, Senator Edgardo Angara wants an Upgrade; President Noynoy Aquino orders a Downgrade, so now we have The Manila Digital Divide - if you're not with IT, you're against IT.
When it comes to power, let me put it this way:
A Commission has influence; an Office is under the influence.
Remember, the Commission was under the Office of the President - to downgrade the Commission right after that monumental announcement by the Commission is more than just deleting a website the day after its existence was announced to the world with much fanfare - it was digital suicide. After 24 hours of exposure in the knowledge universe, you sent your own website, folders and all, to the Recycle Bin?!
If those ICT Boys don't know much about the role of information and communications technologies in getting a Third World country like the Philippines to a First World status, what have they been doing with their office-issue Internet-ready laptops?
If those ICT Boys don't appreciate what Angara is saying that the ICT Department "will play a central role in ensuring that the country's business process outsourcing (BPO) industry will continue to expand and generate employment," have they just been emailing their friends?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the Philippines, Myanmar and Timor-Leste are the only countries left with no ICT Departments of their own, have they just been tweeting away their Internet time?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the BPO industry in the Philippines can surpass the remittances from the overseas Filipinos within 5 years, have they just been socializing via Facebook?
If those ICT Boys don't know that the BPO sector is currently worth US $9 billion and employs about half a million Filipinos, with the potential to grow to $25 billion by 2016 employing 1.3 million, have they just been blogging away their insecurities?
If those ICT Boys didn't know that the country has just celebrated the National ICT Month in June ending with the release of the Philippine Digital Strategy under the leadership of the ICT Commission, have they just been monitoring the status of the President by watching him on YouTube?
If those ICT Boys think of ICT as only so much Facebook and Twitter, IBM and Dell, Nokia and Blackberry, what have they been doing in Internet forums?
Statement of Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Inc. (PSITE ) Regarding Executive Order 47
The purpose of this letter is to respectfully urge your office to reconsider and recall Executive Order No. 47 dated June 23, 2011 which abolished the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the office of the President and the creation of an ICT Office under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
CICT had its primal objective that is to develop and promote the Philippines as the globally preferred Information Technology (IT) – Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investment destination. As a result of this, not only Metro Manila and Metro Cebu are considered primal IT-BPO primal destinations, which can be validated with the 2010 Tholon’s 2010 report on ICT-BPO Preferred Outsourcing Destinations ranking both cities fourth (4th) and ninth (9th) respectively, other cities also like Davao, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Iloilo and Bacolod, known as next wave cities, also made it in the top 100 list.
It has spurred local employment reaching 525,000 seats and has contributed an estimated 9.1 billion US dollars of export revenue to our economy at the year end of 2010. This initiative has resulted also in decongesting Metro Manila, where the spread of the economic growth opportunities can be felt by the different corners of our country, capitalizing the abundance of our skilled workforce.
In comparison, other countries like India, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia, have established cabinet level agencies which report directly to the President and are dedicated to the planning and coordinating efforts on ICT and ICT-enabled services of their respective countries.
Though we believe that the execution of EO 47 is with all noble intention and for the greater glory of the Filipino Community, we would like to guarantee that we will work closely with DOST and ICTO. However, our position remains, that to harness the ICT as a tool for development, economic growth and in streamlining ICT processes within our country, we the members of the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Inc. (PSITE) believe that such can only be attained through the restoration of CICT or the creation of the Department for ICT (DICT).
Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Inc.
UP-Information Technology Training Center (UP-ITTC)
Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Ave. cor. Velasquez St.
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.psite.ph
CICT had its primal objective that is to develop and promote the Philippines as the globally preferred Information Technology (IT) – Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investment destination. As a result of this, not only Metro Manila and Metro Cebu are considered primal IT-BPO primal destinations, which can be validated with the 2010 Tholon’s 2010 report on ICT-BPO Preferred Outsourcing Destinations ranking both cities fourth (4th) and ninth (9th) respectively, other cities also like Davao, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Iloilo and Bacolod, known as next wave cities, also made it in the top 100 list.
It has spurred local employment reaching 525,000 seats and has contributed an estimated 9.1 billion US dollars of export revenue to our economy at the year end of 2010. This initiative has resulted also in decongesting Metro Manila, where the spread of the economic growth opportunities can be felt by the different corners of our country, capitalizing the abundance of our skilled workforce.
In comparison, other countries like India, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia, have established cabinet level agencies which report directly to the President and are dedicated to the planning and coordinating efforts on ICT and ICT-enabled services of their respective countries.
Though we believe that the execution of EO 47 is with all noble intention and for the greater glory of the Filipino Community, we would like to guarantee that we will work closely with DOST and ICTO. However, our position remains, that to harness the ICT as a tool for development, economic growth and in streamlining ICT processes within our country, we the members of the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Inc. (PSITE) believe that such can only be attained through the restoration of CICT or the creation of the Department for ICT (DICT).
Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Inc.
UP-Information Technology Training Center (UP-ITTC)
Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Ave. cor. Velasquez St.
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.psite.ph
Friday, July 15, 2011
Statement of Bacolod - Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNeFIT) Regarding Executive Order 47
We respectfully and humbly appeal for the reinstatement of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) which was dissolved by virtue of Executive Order No. 47 dated June 23, 2011.
We are local ICT stakeholders bound by our commitment to steer Bacolod City and Negros Occidental towards a common direction for the benefit of all. Aptly named, we belong to BNEFIT, which stands for Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), a non-stock non-profit organization approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2008, with the purpose pursuing ICT- readiness and competitiveness and to further push and sustain the gains of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as part of the Philippine Cyber Corridor.
By coming together from various sectors such as the academe, the business and private sector, and the local government units, we accepted the challenge and the constant encouragement posed by the CICT as our guide and mentor as the Philippines targets to capture ten percent of the world's outsourcing market equivalent to 13 billion USD revenues and one million employment by 2010 through public-private sector initiatives under the Philippine Roadmap 2010, a comprehensive study done in 2004 of the Philippine outsourcing industry which details the aspirations of the Philippine BPO industry and the initiatives needed in order to achieve these goals.
Since Bacolod City ventured on what it calls the Bacolod City for Information Technology Investment Program in 2005, we have already supported the advocacy and witnessed the dedication of CICT in assisting cities like us in determining our strengths and weaknesses based on a scorecard developed by said office to guide local governments in their quest for ICT-BPO investments.
With the aim of achieving 10,000 jobs by 2010, BNEFIT from 2008 moved with support and assistance of CICT to undertake various projects, including the involvement of BNEFIT as amoung the founders of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, a national network of all ICT councils with the common vision to serve as the recognized, premier, and unifying advocate for countrywide ICT industry development, with the goals to promote foreign and local investments and balanced development, share information and best practices, and transform the Philippines into a customer-oriented and competitive provider for global services.
With our goal realized for Bacolod and Negros Occidental - with almost 10,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs created by 2011 translating to more than P100 Million in terms of monthly salary, almost $10 Million worth of foreign investments, we thank the CICT as we continue our efforts to sustain our gains.
We join all the ICT stakeholders in the country today for their call for a Department for Information and Communications Technology (CICT) that will have the singular mandate of utilizing ICT as a tool for nation-building. As we await its creation, we believe in the wisdom of reinstating the CICT as the cabinet-level agency that serves as most visible, efficient and effective government ICT champion that has served an enabler and catalyst of all the ICT stakeholders.
We hereby declare July 22, 2011 as day of mourning for the CICT, and will conduct a short ceremony to voice out appeal for the restoration of CICT as one community.
Signed this 14th of July 2011 in the City of Bacolod,Philippines.
Councilor Al Victor Espino
Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue
Raymund Trespicio
Carnit Cordova
Shiegfred Tan
Engr. Julie Gretchen Dizon
Loida Acha
Andrew Regalado
Marose Sellado
Engr. Engiemar Tupas
Dr. Edmund Calaor
Dr. Johanna Rabago-Bayoneta
Wilbur Gadicho
Phillippe Barthelemy
Raymund Nones
Joelimar Bringuelo
Reymund Sabay
We are local ICT stakeholders bound by our commitment to steer Bacolod City and Negros Occidental towards a common direction for the benefit of all. Aptly named, we belong to BNEFIT, which stands for Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), a non-stock non-profit organization approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2008, with the purpose pursuing ICT- readiness and competitiveness and to further push and sustain the gains of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as part of the Philippine Cyber Corridor.
By coming together from various sectors such as the academe, the business and private sector, and the local government units, we accepted the challenge and the constant encouragement posed by the CICT as our guide and mentor as the Philippines targets to capture ten percent of the world's outsourcing market equivalent to 13 billion USD revenues and one million employment by 2010 through public-private sector initiatives under the Philippine Roadmap 2010, a comprehensive study done in 2004 of the Philippine outsourcing industry which details the aspirations of the Philippine BPO industry and the initiatives needed in order to achieve these goals.
Since Bacolod City ventured on what it calls the Bacolod City for Information Technology Investment Program in 2005, we have already supported the advocacy and witnessed the dedication of CICT in assisting cities like us in determining our strengths and weaknesses based on a scorecard developed by said office to guide local governments in their quest for ICT-BPO investments.
With the aim of achieving 10,000 jobs by 2010, BNEFIT from 2008 moved with support and assistance of CICT to undertake various projects, including the involvement of BNEFIT as amoung the founders of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, a national network of all ICT councils with the common vision to serve as the recognized, premier, and unifying advocate for countrywide ICT industry development, with the goals to promote foreign and local investments and balanced development, share information and best practices, and transform the Philippines into a customer-oriented and competitive provider for global services.
With our goal realized for Bacolod and Negros Occidental - with almost 10,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs created by 2011 translating to more than P100 Million in terms of monthly salary, almost $10 Million worth of foreign investments, we thank the CICT as we continue our efforts to sustain our gains.
We join all the ICT stakeholders in the country today for their call for a Department for Information and Communications Technology (CICT) that will have the singular mandate of utilizing ICT as a tool for nation-building. As we await its creation, we believe in the wisdom of reinstating the CICT as the cabinet-level agency that serves as most visible, efficient and effective government ICT champion that has served an enabler and catalyst of all the ICT stakeholders.
We hereby declare July 22, 2011 as day of mourning for the CICT, and will conduct a short ceremony to voice out appeal for the restoration of CICT as one community.
Signed this 14th of July 2011 in the City of Bacolod,Philippines.
Councilor Al Victor Espino
Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue
Raymund Trespicio
Carnit Cordova
Shiegfred Tan
Engr. Julie Gretchen Dizon
Loida Acha
Andrew Regalado
Marose Sellado
Engr. Engiemar Tupas
Dr. Edmund Calaor
Dr. Johanna Rabago-Bayoneta
Wilbur Gadicho
Phillippe Barthelemy
Raymund Nones
Joelimar Bringuelo
Reymund Sabay
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO AND WHICH ROAD ARE YOU TAKING JUAN/JUANA DE LA CRUZ ?
by: Jimmy L. Calata
Transforming our local governments (i.e., provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays) into eLGUs so we will have more transparent, effective and efficient public administration and governance systems that will carry our country to the 21st century and beyond is just one of the big tasks that make grassroots knowledge workers think about the necessity of creating a DICT. This is not to mention the need for digital readiness and capacities among our extant national government agencies and even those vital institutions in the private sector to plan, implement and manage well much-needed ICT4D programs and projects for our people.
We've been talking about our country being lagging far behind many countries in terms of ICT and socio-economic development, in general. But we, as a people, most especially some of our leaders and their lieutenants, don't seem to be serious at all about doing something hard that will address the situation. Worse, we even seem to be backtracking.
Transforming our local governments (i.e., provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays) into eLGUs so we will have more transparent, effective and efficient public administration and governance systems that will carry our country to the 21st century and beyond is just one of the big tasks that make grassroots knowledge workers think about the necessity of creating a DICT. This is not to mention the need for digital readiness and capacities among our extant national government agencies and even those vital institutions in the private sector to plan, implement and manage well much-needed ICT4D programs and projects for our people.
We've been talking about our country being lagging far behind many countries in terms of ICT and socio-economic development, in general. But we, as a people, most especially some of our leaders and their lieutenants, don't seem to be serious at all about doing something hard that will address the situation. Worse, we even seem to be backtracking.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Status Update: CLSU forms human black ribbon to protest CICT demotion
Students and faculty of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija form a giant black ribbon at the school grounds on Wednesday to condemn Executive Order 47 and restore the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). (Photo courtesy of Theody Sayco)
Achievements: CapSU promotes CICT’s iSchools project across Capiz
You can read the full article by following this link:
CapSU promotes CICT’s iSchools project across Capiz
Snippets taken from the article written by Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University
“Bridge the digital divide.” So goes the slogan of the iSchools project by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines which is coursed through the Capiz State University (CapSU)’s Management Information Systems (MIS) Office.
One of the flagship projects of Human Capital Development Group (HCDG) under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), the iSchools project supports the efforts of the Philippine Government and the Department of Education to incorporate ICT in education in public high schools. The purpose is not only to equip all public high school teachers and students with ICT literacy skills but also to “provide the beneficiaries access to relevant digital content and applications in education which they can use to enhance effective learning.”
PC recycling training
The training allowed participants to learn basic computer skills, computer hardware and computer software installation, PC data backup and PC recycling. More important, teacher trainees were also briefed on electronic waste management and the legal terms and conditions, laws and licenses all related to computer and internet use.
Computer and Internet Literacy Courses (CILC)
Bargo’s technical team facilitated the techno transfer from CICT personnel to the recipients in the public high schools.
The Benefits of iSchool project
Under the iSchools project, each beneficiary was awarded one laptop, one Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector, one computer unit each for the use of the school library, faculty room and principal and 16 workstations for the use of the students.
CapSU promotes CICT’s iSchools project across Capiz
Snippets taken from the article written by Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University
“Bridge the digital divide.” So goes the slogan of the iSchools project by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines which is coursed through the Capiz State University (CapSU)’s Management Information Systems (MIS) Office.
One of the flagship projects of Human Capital Development Group (HCDG) under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), the iSchools project supports the efforts of the Philippine Government and the Department of Education to incorporate ICT in education in public high schools. The purpose is not only to equip all public high school teachers and students with ICT literacy skills but also to “provide the beneficiaries access to relevant digital content and applications in education which they can use to enhance effective learning.”
PC recycling training
The training allowed participants to learn basic computer skills, computer hardware and computer software installation, PC data backup and PC recycling. More important, teacher trainees were also briefed on electronic waste management and the legal terms and conditions, laws and licenses all related to computer and internet use.
Computer and Internet Literacy Courses (CILC)
Bargo’s technical team facilitated the techno transfer from CICT personnel to the recipients in the public high schools.
The Benefits of iSchool project
Under the iSchools project, each beneficiary was awarded one laptop, one Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector, one computer unit each for the use of the school library, faculty room and principal and 16 workstations for the use of the students.
Statement of Internet Society (ISOC) Philippines Re EO 47
We, at the Internet Society (ISOC) Philippines Chapter, would like to add our voice with regards to an enhanced "CI
CT" or an agency that has a clear mandate geared towards national development. We believe it is crucial for the Philippine's future that we have an agency that will continue to support ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). Foremost, we would like to encourage the Aquino administration to look into the following broader issues:
ISOC Philippines Chapter believes that a collaboration from various sectors of society will create broader participation that is not restrictive to only a few. If we recall the TUNIS Agenda for the Information Society during the 2005 WSIS (World Summit on Information Society), we are committed to focus on digital divide, Internet Governance and other related issues. This commitment is an opportunity to succeed as a "development-oriented and non-discriminatory Information Society" (see Section 31 of "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society," World Summit on the Information Society, 18 November 2005,http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html). We hope that we can reaffirm the legitimacy of the Tunis Agenda by believing that there is full participation of all stakeholders within their respective roles and responsibilities.
Thank you for this opportunity to be heard.
Kindest regards,
Internet Society (ISOC) Philippines
http://www.isoc.ph/
Join us: https://portal.isoc.org/EBusiness/NewMemberStepOne.aspx
Email: join@isoc.ph
OFFICERS
President: Randall Lozano
Vice President: Charity Gamboa-Embley
Treasurer: Winthrop Yu
Secretary: Bani Lara
CT" or an agency that has a clear mandate geared towards national development. We believe it is crucial for the Philippine's future that we have an agency that will continue to support ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). Foremost, we would like to encourage the Aquino administration to look into the following broader issues:- Tap a similar "CICT" to collaborate with civil society groups, the private IT sector and the academe in strengthening our goals towards achieving an open discussion on Internet Governance;
- Consult Civil Society groups, the private Information Technology sector and the Academe prior to official dialogue or representation to any open consultations in the United Nations like the CSTG (Commission on Science and Technology for Development) WG (Working Group) for the Improvement of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and a specialized agency for ICT's like the ITU (International Telecommunication Union);
- Actively participate in international discussions on Internet Governance issues for public policy like the Internet Governance Forum, technical like the ITU and ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and economic forums (even as an observer) like OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) meetings;
- Equal representation (at least 1 each from the academe, from the government, from Civil Society, and from the private IT sector) and funding to annual Internet Governance-related forums;
- Create regional and local hubs to educate different ICT sectors on Internet Governance through capacity-building programs;
ISOC Philippines Chapter believes that a collaboration from various sectors of society will create broader participation that is not restrictive to only a few. If we recall the TUNIS Agenda for the Information Society during the 2005 WSIS (World Summit on Information Society), we are committed to focus on digital divide, Internet Governance and other related issues. This commitment is an opportunity to succeed as a "development-oriented and non-discriminatory Information Society" (see Section 31 of "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society," World Summit on the Information Society, 18 November 2005,http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html). We hope that we can reaffirm the legitimacy of the Tunis Agenda by believing that there is full participation of all stakeholders within their respective roles and responsibilities.
Thank you for this opportunity to be heard.
Kindest regards,
Internet Society (ISOC) Philippines
http://www.isoc.ph/
Join us: https://portal.isoc.org/EBusiness/NewMemberStepOne.aspx
Email: join@isoc.ph
OFFICERS
President: Randall Lozano
Vice President: Charity Gamboa-Embley
Treasurer: Winthrop Yu
Secretary: Bani Lara
Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT) Statement on EO 47
The Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology or CEDFIT respectfully but urgently appeals to His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III , President of the Republic of the Philippines, to reconsider Executive Order 47 dated June 23, 2011 which served to abolish the Commission on Information and Communication Technology under the Office of the President and replaced it with the ICT Office under DOST due to the following reasons:- The IT/BPO (or Outsourcing) Industry of Cebu is a major industry that directly employs more than 50,000 people. It is fast catching up with the export manufacturing sector with prospects of double digit growth in the short and long term.
- This industry is generating high value employment where wages are more than twice the minimum wage.
- Cebu City is now recognized globally as "One of the Top Ten Emerged Global Outsourcing Cities" by Tholons, a global advisory group.
- Cebu, together with Metro Clark, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete and other emerging cities has benefited from the outsourcing industry.
- The development of the so-called Next Wave Cities(cities mentioned above) is the result of the country-side prosperity the industry has brought about. This was also made possible with the assistance of more than 30 ICT Councils which were organized with the support of CICT.
- Cebu (and the Philippines as a whole) is a front runner in the outsourcing industry competing in the global arena so we need all the support from the government and the ultimate manifestation of this support is the creation of the Department of ICT through legislation in both Congress and Senate.
The IT/BPO Industry has changed the skyline of Cebu and has brought prosperity like no other industry. It's impact is much bigger in Metro Manila and it is now being felt in the next wave cities. It deserves to be fully supported by at least a Commission on ICT or a full blown Department of ICT.
Signed this 12th day of July 2011.
Jun Sa-a
Executive Director
Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Status Update: Senator Angara and Congressman Tinga's Support for DICT
For those who have Facebook Accounts, be a part of the discussion and don't forget to LIKE the following pages:
https://www.facebook.com/RestoreCICT
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineDigitalStrategy
and CICT's Group page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/120390636228?ap=1
Status Update: Online petition to revive CICT gains momentum
Faculty and students of IT departments of 15 state colleges and universities (SUCs) have declared their support for the restoration of Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the eventual creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The support was made through an online petition over ipetitions.com which contains an appeal to restore CICT.
The petition has drawn more than 400 signatures over in a just a week, according to Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chair of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) which initiated the on-line petition.
The stream of support statements were also related via e-mail messages to Theody Sayco, head of the IT department of Central Luzon State University.
The pledges of support to the appeal were gathered from the iSchools group composed of 39 SUCs all over the country who have implemented the iSchools Project, eSkwela Project, the Content Development Project, the Camp Blogs and the PC Recycling Projects under the CICT. More signatories are expected in the next few days, according to Sayco.
The schools include the
You can read the full article by following this link:
Online petition to revive CICT gains momentum
The support was made through an online petition over ipetitions.com which contains an appeal to restore CICT.
The petition has drawn more than 400 signatures over in a just a week, according to Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chair of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) which initiated the on-line petition.
The stream of support statements were also related via e-mail messages to Theody Sayco, head of the IT department of Central Luzon State University.
The pledges of support to the appeal were gathered from the iSchools group composed of 39 SUCs all over the country who have implemented the iSchools Project, eSkwela Project, the Content Development Project, the Camp Blogs and the PC Recycling Projects under the CICT. More signatories are expected in the next few days, according to Sayco.
The schools include the
- Central Luzon State University
- Batangas State University
- Bicol University
- Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College
- Visayas State University
- Western Philippines University
- Aklan State University
- Capiz State University
- Benguet State University
- Tarlac State University
- Davao Del Norte State College
- Romblon State University
- Southern Luzon State University
- Tarlac State University
- Pampanga Agricultural College
You can read the full article by following this link:
Online petition to revive CICT gains momentum
History of CICT
In the year 2000, needing to streamline the different ICT-related government agencies to provide effective and focused leadership in the implementation of ICT policy, then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada signed Executive Order No. 264 merging the National Information Technology Council (NITC) and the Electronic Commerce Promotion Council (ECPC) to form ITECC.
When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over in January of 2001, she transferred the chairmanship of ITECC to the President of the Republic of the Philippines by signing EO 18, amending EO 264. This move allowed her to oversee the direction of ITECC and ICT development in the country. It also expanded, enhanced, and accelerated ITECC's policy-implementation capabilities and decision-making processes. With this transfer, the ICT industry has been given a champion, someone who is in a position to effect real changes in the industry and the country by putting ICT in the forefront of government priorities and national consciousness like it never has been before.
One of the pressing recommendations of the Council was for the immediate creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). As envisioned, it will effectively coordinate and implement national ICT programs, projects and other related initiatives as a priority of government. Consequently, it was endorsed by ITECC, supported by the private sector and presently under consideration in Congress.
However, in view of other businesses that has to be managed by Congress that prevented the early passage of the DICT bill, coupled by the ITECC recommendation of creating a national body, headed by a Cabinet ranked official, that must be equipped with strong and clearly defined powers, appropriate manpower and resources, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology was created under Executive Order 269 dated January 12, 2004. As a transitory measure, the CICT was not merely advisory in nature, but will have a more active role in streamlining, managing, coordinating, and implementing the various ICT-related plans and policies of government, and will immediately address the urgent need to harmonize and make the country's approach to ICT development more coherent and efficient.
When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over in January of 2001, she transferred the chairmanship of ITECC to the President of the Republic of the Philippines by signing EO 18, amending EO 264. This move allowed her to oversee the direction of ITECC and ICT development in the country. It also expanded, enhanced, and accelerated ITECC's policy-implementation capabilities and decision-making processes. With this transfer, the ICT industry has been given a champion, someone who is in a position to effect real changes in the industry and the country by putting ICT in the forefront of government priorities and national consciousness like it never has been before.
One of the pressing recommendations of the Council was for the immediate creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). As envisioned, it will effectively coordinate and implement national ICT programs, projects and other related initiatives as a priority of government. Consequently, it was endorsed by ITECC, supported by the private sector and presently under consideration in Congress.
However, in view of other businesses that has to be managed by Congress that prevented the early passage of the DICT bill, coupled by the ITECC recommendation of creating a national body, headed by a Cabinet ranked official, that must be equipped with strong and clearly defined powers, appropriate manpower and resources, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology was created under Executive Order 269 dated January 12, 2004. As a transitory measure, the CICT was not merely advisory in nature, but will have a more active role in streamlining, managing, coordinating, and implementing the various ICT-related plans and policies of government, and will immediately address the urgent need to harmonize and make the country's approach to ICT development more coherent and efficient.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
THE TITLE OF EO 47 WAS WORDED TO DELIBERATELY MISLEAD BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND THE ICT STAKEHOLDERS
EO 47 used the action words “reorganizing, renaming and transferring” CICT when in fact is serve to dissolve and abolish the CICT. The framing of the title itself has been made to hide the real intent of the executive order.
When the President probably read EO 47 beginning with its title, he did not realize its real effect because the framers of EO 47 shielded the eyes of the President from seeing that it really is a piece of document that abolishes the CICT, the same CICT to which he appointed a new commissioner just a few days prior. All the positions of the commissioners and the chair of CICT where dissolved by reason of EO 47 – that in effect, is not synonymous to a re-organization much more so a renaming. The fact that the CICT is a cabinet-level commission directly under the Office of the President, while the office created by EO 47 is under the DOST – do not speak of a mere transfer.
The ICT office that EO 47 created under DOST is going to be manned by an executive director. EO 47 effectively abolished the four efficient and operational groups with assigned commissioners under the CICT, namely the HCD, Infrastructure Management, Cyberservices and e-Governance.
by Jocelle Batapa Sigue
When the President probably read EO 47 beginning with its title, he did not realize its real effect because the framers of EO 47 shielded the eyes of the President from seeing that it really is a piece of document that abolishes the CICT, the same CICT to which he appointed a new commissioner just a few days prior. All the positions of the commissioners and the chair of CICT where dissolved by reason of EO 47 – that in effect, is not synonymous to a re-organization much more so a renaming. The fact that the CICT is a cabinet-level commission directly under the Office of the President, while the office created by EO 47 is under the DOST – do not speak of a mere transfer.
The ICT office that EO 47 created under DOST is going to be manned by an executive director. EO 47 effectively abolished the four efficient and operational groups with assigned commissioners under the CICT, namely the HCD, Infrastructure Management, Cyberservices and e-Governance.
by Jocelle Batapa Sigue
THE PHILIPPINE ICT SECTOR TRAVELS BACK TO THE PAST
by Jocelle Batapa Sigue
This is the first part of my research on the history of the ICT sector in the Philippines and how presidential policies impact on the growth of the sector by their executive policies. This series of research is being doe to help the public understand the issue regarding EO47 which was recently the source of frustration of ICT stakeholders in our country today.
This time line shows how President Benigno Simeon Aquino III Executive Order No. 47 brought the Philippines back to 1994. And instead of continuing the development started by his predecessors in the ICT sector - EO 47 actually destroyed what has been built through time.
Below is a compilation of executive orders of each president in support of the Information and communications technology sector. It can be gleaned that since 1994 - with EO No. 190 of Fidel V. Ramos, the Department of Science and Technology is just a member of the National IT Council because of the extent of the ICT sector which cannot be covered simply by DOST single-handedly.
But today, EO 47, despite the upward trend of the ICT bodies through the years as a result of the executive acts of PNOY's predecessors from Ramos to Arroyo - gave little value to ICT and remanded the concern to be handled by a mere office and run by an executive director.
Since the time of Ramos in the National Information Technology Council (NITC) and theInformation Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC) under Arroyo - the said bodies were chaired by the presidents themselves. Notable to mention is that it is in fact the DTI and DOTC and not the DOST that played major roles in the councils which were forerunners of CICT.
This history can be still be re-written. In the chronology of things, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should have come next. It is up to every ordinary citizen like you and me to re-write and correct this timeline and put the Philippines back on track again.
Next time, I will compare the mandate of the NITC, ITECC, CICT and ICTO as contained in the respective EO's to prove that EO 47 is a piece of document which content is much more ancient than EO 190 S. 1998 which created the NITC. This shows how the current administration, wittingly or unwittingly underestimates the value of ICT and the significance of the ICT sector in national development compared to how it was viewed by the past administrations.
ICT TIMELINE
Fidel V. Ramos
EO No. 190 Approving and Adopting the National Information Technology Plan 2000 and Establishing the National Information Technology Council (NITC) (July 19, 1994)
EO No. 468 Providing for the Creation of a National Council for the Promotion of Electronic Commerce in the Country (February 23, 1998)
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
EO No. 35 Directing the National Computer Center (NCC) to Design and Build an Integrated Government Information Infrastructure (GII) (October 26, 1998)
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 125
REVITALIZING THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (NITC)
AND THE NATIONAL COMPUTER CENTER (NCC)
EO No. 264 ESTABLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE COUNCIL (ITECC) FROM THE MERGER OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (NITC) AND
THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PROMOTION COUNCIL (ECPC)
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 334
ABOLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC
COMMERCE COUNCIL AND TRANSFERRING ITS BUDGET, ASSETS,
PERSONNEL, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS TO THE COMMISSION
ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
EO No. 269 Creating the Commission on Information and Communications Technology
Benigno Simeon Aquino III
EO No. 47 Reorganizing, Renaming and Transferring the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and its attached agencies to the Department of Science and Technology as an ICT Office
This is the first part of my research on the history of the ICT sector in the Philippines and how presidential policies impact on the growth of the sector by their executive policies. This series of research is being doe to help the public understand the issue regarding EO47 which was recently the source of frustration of ICT stakeholders in our country today.
This time line shows how President Benigno Simeon Aquino III Executive Order No. 47 brought the Philippines back to 1994. And instead of continuing the development started by his predecessors in the ICT sector - EO 47 actually destroyed what has been built through time.
Below is a compilation of executive orders of each president in support of the Information and communications technology sector. It can be gleaned that since 1994 - with EO No. 190 of Fidel V. Ramos, the Department of Science and Technology is just a member of the National IT Council because of the extent of the ICT sector which cannot be covered simply by DOST single-handedly.
But today, EO 47, despite the upward trend of the ICT bodies through the years as a result of the executive acts of PNOY's predecessors from Ramos to Arroyo - gave little value to ICT and remanded the concern to be handled by a mere office and run by an executive director.
Since the time of Ramos in the National Information Technology Council (NITC) and theInformation Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC) under Arroyo - the said bodies were chaired by the presidents themselves. Notable to mention is that it is in fact the DTI and DOTC and not the DOST that played major roles in the councils which were forerunners of CICT.
This history can be still be re-written. In the chronology of things, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should have come next. It is up to every ordinary citizen like you and me to re-write and correct this timeline and put the Philippines back on track again.
Next time, I will compare the mandate of the NITC, ITECC, CICT and ICTO as contained in the respective EO's to prove that EO 47 is a piece of document which content is much more ancient than EO 190 S. 1998 which created the NITC. This shows how the current administration, wittingly or unwittingly underestimates the value of ICT and the significance of the ICT sector in national development compared to how it was viewed by the past administrations.
ICT TIMELINE
Fidel V. Ramos
EO No. 190 Approving and Adopting the National Information Technology Plan 2000 and Establishing the National Information Technology Council (NITC) (July 19, 1994)
EO No. 468 Providing for the Creation of a National Council for the Promotion of Electronic Commerce in the Country (February 23, 1998)
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
EO No. 35 Directing the National Computer Center (NCC) to Design and Build an Integrated Government Information Infrastructure (GII) (October 26, 1998)
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 125
REVITALIZING THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (NITC)
AND THE NATIONAL COMPUTER CENTER (NCC)
EO No. 264 ESTABLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE COUNCIL (ITECC) FROM THE MERGER OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (NITC) AND
THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PROMOTION COUNCIL (ECPC)
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 334
ABOLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC
COMMERCE COUNCIL AND TRANSFERRING ITS BUDGET, ASSETS,
PERSONNEL, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS TO THE COMMISSION
ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
EO No. 269 Creating the Commission on Information and Communications Technology
Benigno Simeon Aquino III
EO No. 47 Reorganizing, Renaming and Transferring the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and its attached agencies to the Department of Science and Technology as an ICT Office