Budget too low for new dep’t, notes lawmaker

The newly created Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will likely fail to promote connectivity, especially in remote areas, given its “pauper budget” for 2017, according to a lawmaker.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone urged other lawmakers to increase the DICT’s budget, saying the P2.9 billion earmarked for the agency was “barely enough to run a bureau” and therefore not enough for a department expected to operate full blast next year.

“Why give a minuscule budget for a department given an awesome mandate? Billions of dollars are needed to roll out infra projects to upgrade internet access and speed,” Evardone said.

During the House hearing on Wednesday, Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima presented a P3.5-billion budget for the department next year.

Congress split the former Department of Transportation and Communication into the Department of Transportation and the DICT to speed up ICT development in the country.

Evardone said the DICT’s priority projects included providing free Wi-Fi in public places and internet access to remote barangays.

The DICT also oversees cyber security, monitors cybercrime and implements e-governance and high-tech connectivity between agencies.

“What do we expect to accomplish with a pauper’s budget? In fact, the magnitude of cybercrimes is bigger than the extent of illegal drugs,” Evardone said.

“This P2.9 billion DICT budget is not even one percent of other departments’ budgets for personnel services,” he said, pointing out the proposed P4.3-billion budget for the implementation of the Reproductive Health program is even higher that the DICT’s total allocation.