Velasco calls for more investment in ICT to ‘narrow digital divide’ in PH, ASEAN

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco speaks before the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on Monday, August 23, 2021. Photo from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Additional and aggressive investments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector should be encouraged in order to “narrow” the prevailing “digital divide” within the Philippines and among Southeast Asian nations.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco put the spotlight on this matter speaking before the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) recently, stressing the importance of “equitable access to opportunities the digital economy has to offer” especially in this time of a pandemic.

Velasco in a statement Tuesday said the COVID-19 crisis exposed the massive digital disconnect where many – even if privileged to have access to computers and the internet – were still left behind in terms of education and economic opportunities, among others.

“Everyone must have equitable access to opportunities the digital economy has to offer. Greater efforts should be made to narrow the digital divide within the specific context of each member state and community,” he said during the online 42nd General Assembly of AIPA hosted by Brunei Darussalam on August 23-25.

“The key is to invest in sufficient infrastructure and connectivity to broaden physical access to mobile and internet networks, which will also enhance access to education, markets, and other economic opportunities,” he added.

According to Velasco, the correct approach to deal with the problems spawned by the pandemic – which forced people to heavily rely on the internet to pursue learning, business, and work – is to adapt to the changes.

“(While it continues to ravage people’s lives and the economy) the pandemic has accelerated digitalization, which is ‘transforming the way we communicate, work, learn, and live’,” he pointed out.

“(Digital platforms have) enabled our people to stay connected and engaged, and for many businesses to operate amid the lockdown,” he also said.

The AIPA meeting was held as the ASEAN looks for ways to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts. This year’s theme focuses on digital connectivity and inclusion towards a resilient economic recovery.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco speaks before the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on Monday, August 23, 2021. Photo from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

But Velasco admitted that while digital transformation should be a priority for ASEAN member states like the Philippines, not all can utilize its full potential since every nation has different degrees of access to the internet.

While internet penetration in the Philippines or the number of people with access to the internet is high, there are still areas where internet connectivity appears more of a privilege than a right. Even if Filipinos were said to be the most active social media users in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns caught the country by surprise as it was ill-prepared to handle transactions and classes online.

Many students were not ready to go online for classes, leading some sectors, including the Office of the Vice President (OVP), to open up learning hubs where children can try to use technology to assist them in their classwork even if classes are virtual.

Some experts also admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic was a major factor in the acceleration of the digital transformation in the country.

READ: COVID-19 accelerates digital transformation in PH

Still, Velasco said the Philippines and its legislators will continue to meet and discuss with international partners to come up with the best plan for digital transformation, considering that it is also an important tool for diplomacy.

“Given the scale of the pandemic, the ASEAN and AIPA have utilized digital diplomacy, with all of its meetings across all sectors held online, including those with Dialogue Partners,” he noted.

“Digital diplomacy has indeed helped ASEAN member states continue their dialogue and coordination, and mobilize regional mechanisms to tackle the public health crisis,” he added.

KGA