ANGARA BATS FOR CREATION OF ICT DEPARTMENT

Recognizing the strategic importance of ICT to national development and global competitiveness, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called for the creation of a separate entity that would promote information and communications technology, and effectively coordinate and implement national and local ICT services.

"Practically all aspects of life have changed because of ICT - work, school, in how we communicate, how we do business, and even the way we think," he said.

Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, is pushing for the creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which will assume the communications-related powers and functions of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

It will be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, regulating and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government for ICT development.

He lamented the present lack of coordination, legislative framework, regulatory system and coherent long-term strategy for the development of ICT.

"For instance, the Digital Village project which will enable rural farmers to use the Internet to access information on prices of goods, land records, weather forecasts, local government database and other agricultural knowledge support - thereby boosting their agriculture productivity - has been dragging on for years," he said.

The DICT's main functions are to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of national and local ICT and ICT-enabled services; provide an environment that will support investments in cost-efficient ICT systems; establish a strong and effective regulatory system that will ensure consumer protection and welfare and foster a healthy competitive environment; and formulate policies and guidelines on internet and cyberspace infrastructure; and ensure the protection of ICT-related intellectual property rights; among others.

"The strategic importance of ICT to national development and global competitiveness is undeniable. It is instrumental to creating jobs, improving government services, empowering the poor and improving the quality of life of all Filipinos," said Angara.

"Hence, the Philippines needs a stronger government body, duly established by law, to oversee the ICT development of the country," he added.