Do we need the DICT?

The idea of creating a separate department to develop the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in the country has been percolating since the 1990s, but it's only now that Congress has recognized the need for it.

Thus, once House Bill 4667 is enacted into law, the Department of Information and Communications Technology could finally be created  as the primary government entity to plan, promote and help develop the ICT sector.

According to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the bill is part of the legislative agenda of the 16th Congress before it ends in June 2016. Thus, the DICT could be up and running by the end of next year at the earliest.

We really hope the DICT will promote the wider use of ICT as it will definitely contribute to our economic growth.

The challenge for the DICT is to develop Philippine ICT according to world-class standards and to promote the development of ICT.

This is urgent considering that we have one of the slowest Internet speeds even among ASEAN members but also one of the most expensive.

We need to widen the scope of ICT applications, such as e-commerce and e-government.

Strengthening e-government is particularly urgent since government agencies must offer more frontline services to the public through the Internet and other emerging technologies.

E-government should be part and parcel of an integrated government information and communications infrastructure development program.  

We welcome the creation of the DICT, as we have a lot of catching up to do with our neighbors in this part of Asia. 

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Image by http://www.itu.int/