ICT and governance

In a span of weeks, three incidents in Cebu “ignited” the world, thanks to engaged (or enraged?) netizens’ postings on social media.

The photo of a girl riding a whale shark in Boljoon triggered waves of shock, disgust, shame and anger in social network sites. The frenzied response only meant one thing: there are now more eco-warriors the government has to reckon with. Knowing this, can government afford to be weak in environmental education and enforcement?

James Sieczka’s video “20 Reasons Why I Dislike the Philippines” went viral in the worldwide web. The video clip about the garbage, traffic, filth and sidewalks, issues that refuse to die down in urbanized Cebu, stirred a hornet’s nest. Truth hurts, especially for those with mandates to enforce the laws that still await implementation. We should thank him. The guy cared enough to invest his time in making the video and to hope for changes to happen in this beautiful country, as we do.

It would have been easier for him, a foreigner, to take the road most often travelled, that is, of being apathetic, as some citizens are wont to do.

Amid reports of being declared  “persona non grata”, Sieczka apologized while defending his freedom to express himself. Why should he be condemned when he has equal rights as Filipinos have to live in a healthful environment?

Extensive media mileage here and abroad was also accorded the Facebook controversy involving an academic institution’s no-nonsense implementation of its rules. Does its right extend to the cyber life of its students? Was there invasion of the latter’s privacy?

Because information and communications technology (ICT) has become an integral part of our lifestyle, our work and our passion, more disputes arising from its use or perceived abuse of one’s rights will end up in our courts. But, are all judges capacitated to understand and appreciate the complex virtual reality that has permeated our lives?

ICT has become a double-edged sword that we have learned to live with in the global village we are in. While it gives tremendous benefits of connectivity, accessibility, speed and enhancement of knowledge and skills, the downside offers potential liability for possible infringement of privacy, security and violation of laws such as libel, identity theft and other crimes.

In addition, there are environmental impacts of the use of hazardous substances and the unsustainable activities in the production of the ICT devices, the accumulated tons of discarded electronic wastes that are not regulated, with manufacturers still freed from responsibility in this side of the planet, aside from the possibility of radiation emitting from cell sites, as studies abroad have shown.

Except perhaps for aforesaid issues which urgently need solutions, ICT is an excellent medium for education, empowerment, good governance and sustainable development. Electronic groups among people of shared passion have mushroomed. Avid ICT users which include advocates can no longer imagine a world without instant communication, access to resources and networks and yes, online petitions. Case studies on the harm brought to ecosystems and people’s lives due to coal, mining, logging operations and toxic chemicals abound. Peer reviewed articles on climate change, environmental justice, ecosystem valuation and disaster risk reduction and management, to mention a few, are downloadable.

ICT has forever transformed society, our relationships and the system of governance. However, while civil society and business sectors have openly embraced ICT, our government, unlike their counterpart in other jurisdiction, can do better.

Despite the passage of Republic Act 8792, the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, on the recognition and use of electronic documents and transactions in both commercial and non-commercial transactions, the use of ICT for delivery of services and development has not permeated mindsets in the public sector.

There are exceptions. Agencies like  the Departments of Public Works and Highways, Budget and Management and Interior and Local Government as well as the Bureau of Internal Revenue are transparent and accessible. The Supreme Court uploads decisions as soon as they are released, but not the Court of Appeals and lower courts. We still do not have electronic filing of pleadings, except those allowed in the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases. Local government units, especially barangays, still have to harness the gains to be derived from instant connectivity with their constituents. Other LGUs merely use the website to enhance the image of local chief executives.

Singapore’s website is the best model of open, transparent and participatory electronic governance. Government is a click away from its citizens. The language is simple and easily understood. The questions that citizens ask are answered, including tips and reminders for certain contingencies happening. It has a feature on Public Participation and E-Citizen for all electronic service needs. The services can be availed of in the comfort of one’s home or office dispensing with long lines in government offices that our hapless senior citizens and pensioners are still subjected to. No wonder Singapore is ranked first in Asia and second in the world for the 2012 Networked Readiness Index (NRI).

NRI measures “the degree to which economies across the world leverage ICT for enhanced competitiveness… It has been helping policymakers and relevant stakeholders to track their economies’ strengths and weaknesses as well as their progress over time.” (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/GITR/2012/GITR_Chapter1.1_2012.pdf)

In the 2012 NRI, the Philippines is still a near-bottom dweller, and maintained its 15th ranking of 20 countries in Asia, and 86th place of the 142 countries surveyed. It is ironic that the Philippines, known as the texting and business process outsourcing capital of the world, has not improved its standing.

It is time to seriously consider the recommendations of Civil Society Organizations to “Develop a comprehensive framework for the strategic use of ICT for development.” This includes: (a) ICT and economic growth, (b) E-Government, (c) ICT in education, (d) Digital inclusion, (e) Content creation,  and (f) Sustainable ICT use.” (https://code-ngo.org/home/images/stories/pdf/CSA_Summary_FINAL.pdf)