President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has committed to certify the proposed e-governance law, which aims to digitalize the bureaucracy, as urgent, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) said on Wednesday.
In a press release, the PSAC said the President made the commitment during a meeting with the agency’s digital infrastructure sector early this month.
“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 (UnionBank) Chief Technology and Operations Officer Henry Aguda said.
“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.”
During the meeting, PSAC’s digital infrastructure sector discussed with Marcos the progress and success of initial collaborations with government agencies regarding digital transformation.
According to PSAC, the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022 was introduced as House Bill (HB) No. 3 in June 2022 by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, and Tingog Sinirangan party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
So far, the proposed measure is still pending at the House committee level.
The proposed measure institutionalizes the transition of the government to e-governance. The State will 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 October 2022, the President already made a promise that his administration would facilitate the swift passage of the E-Governance and E-Government bills.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/849335/marcos-wants-swift-passage-of-digitalization-bills/story/
If the Philippines wants to keep up with other countries, Marcos said the country’s system should be digitalized. –Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News
