MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has committed to certify as urgent the proposed E-Governance Act to drive the country’s digital transformation.
It was the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) that revealed this on Wednesday, saying that its digital infrastructure sector had a meeting with the President last Jan. 12.
During the meeting, the PSAC said it shared with Marcos the progress and success of initial collaborations with government agencies.
The President also accepted their recommendation to certify as urgent the E-governance bill that is currently pending in the House of Representatives.
“The certification as urgent of the E-Governance Act is a vital step in the right direction towards becoming a digital nation. It also provides the impetus to the PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector’s work plan,” PSAC digital infrastructure sector lead and Union Bank of the Philippines chief technology and operations officer Henry Aguda.
“We are encouraged by the President’s commitment to shaping a future-ready nation and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on every Filipino,” he added.
Malacañang earlier said that digitalizing government services to ensure bureaucratic efficiency and fight corruption are among the top priorities of President Marcos this year.
House Bill No. 3, which contains the proposed E-governance Act, is currently pending at the House committee level.
The proposed law institutionalizes the transition of the government to e-governance. It provides that the State would adopt a policy to create, foster, and sustain a digitally empowered and integrated government that provides responsive and transparent online citizen-centered services for a globally competitive Filipino nation.
In its explanatory note, the bill “encourages government cooperation with the private sector in providing resources, assets, and services, and transforms agency operations by utilizing best practices from public and private sector organizations.”
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The PSAC said its digital infrastructure sector has provided several proposals to augment the proposed law, including allowing the use of private payment and disbursement systems, requiring a chief information office in every government agency and establishing the position of a national chief information security officer, and institutionalizing public-private partnerships on e-government.
The PSAC said all of its recommendations were accepted by the technical working group formed by the House committee on information and communications technology.
PSAC is convened by Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sabin Aboitiz.
The PSAC said its digital infrastructure sector was formed to provide the President with practical recommendations that promote wider internet access and advance digitization initiatives.
The sector is led by Aguda, who is joined by PLDT President and CEO Al Panlilio, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Chief Operating Officer Ramon Jocson.
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