During the 10th Visayas ICT Conference (VICTOR), Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy emphasised the department’s role and commitment to pushing rural development. He noted that they are proud to be an institutional partner in the development of rural-focused projects, such as the conferences spearheaded by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, and that they have ambitious plans for the various ICT councils and the Philippines’ Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry.
The focus of the conference was on Collaboration, Innovation, and Inclusion. It also addressed the emerging technologies that are redefining the boundaries between the virtual, physical, and biological realms, including Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and Data Analytics.
Adding the significance of establishing international relationships and ties to advance the growth of the ICT industry. The DICT Secretary highlighted the Digital Cities 2025 Programme, formerly known as the Next Wave Cities Project, aims to establish and enhance ICT councils and stimulate collaboration among relevant stakeholders in the development of their local ICT road plans.
The Digital Cities Programme intends to strengthen the IT-BPM industry and guarantee adequate employment and economic growth, particularly in rural areas. Digital Cities 2025 was established in 2020 to promote the value of rural development and the potential of major regions outside Metro Manila to become vibrant business districts and viable investment hubs for IT-BPM services.
These Digital Cities would ideally encourage existing businesses to grow beyond the National Capital Region and entice new companies to establish themselves in the Philippines.
Complementing institutional and talent development initiatives, infrastructure development attempts to equip stakeholders with the skills and resources necessary to maximise the city’s IT-BPM growth potential. The following measures are planned to attain DICT’s objective of safer, more secure, and more reliable ICT:
- Internet Projects with Telecommunication Companies
- Government Infrastructure Projects
- TNVS Introduction to the Cities
To promote the IT-BPM business domestically and internationally, a comprehensive marketing and communication strategy and rural advocacy activities are required. These consist of marketing and promotion workshops; local trade missions/roadshows; and digital marketing initiatives.
Meanwhile, Digital Governance Awards (DGA) recognise local ICT-enabled solutions in the Philippines and encourage local governments to increase their use of ICT in their communities. The DICT, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), has inaugurated the annual Digital Governance Awards (DGA) 2022.
With the topic “Advancing Transformational Growth via Outstanding Local Digital Initiatives,” DGA shares the objective of building national indices for local governments. This is in the interest of using the potential of ICT to improve the quality and efficiency of public service.
For this year’s implementation, the DGA intends to involve more local government units and, as a result, generate more inspiring stories and urge more LGUs to involve and integrate ICT in their programmes and solutions; to create a greater effect and deliver better services.
DGA is an annual search for best practices among local government units leveraging information and communications technology to provide direct public services to their people and business stakeholders. DGA endorses the goal of developing ICT-based public service delivery best practices for local governments across the nation.