House to prioritize digitalization
Romualdez, the principal author of House Bill 3, or the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022, said that he had asked Tiangco’s committee to submit a report as soon as possible.
Daily TribuneRomualdez, the principal author of House Bill 3, or the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022, said that he had asked Tiangco’s committee to submit a report as soon as possible.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed that the House of Representatives will expedite plenary debates for the approval of the proposed E-Governance Act and E-Government Act soon after Congress resumes its session on 7 November.
This is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s desire for the country to catch up with other nations in the digital economy and to ensure fast, transparent, and efficient government services.
Romualdez said that they will prioritize proposed measures to digitalize the national government's massive records.
To recall, Marcos called on Congress on Wednesday to expedite the passage of proposed legislation allowing the country's digital transformation and enabling his administration to provide "fast, transparent and efficient" services to the public.
During the National Information and Communications Technology Summit 2022, Marcos said the country could achieve a digital economy by enhancing its digital infrastructure, improving the regulatory framework for innovation, ensuring cybersecurity, and developing its digital workforce.
"And if we are to succeed in digitalizing our bureaucracy, our government, and to make the way that we do business, the way that we work, the way that we even communicate with one another, we (have) to make it as efficient, as streamlined, and as affordable as possible so that we can provide that extremely important service," said Marcos in a speech delivered at the Manila Hotel.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, has already begun its own digitalization project after learning best practices in the said area from representatives of the Congressional Research Service of the Library of the United States Congress in Washington.
"The House of Representatives has already initiated its digitalization program, and I assure the public that we are exerting all efforts to deliver faster service and eliminate red tape in government transactions," Romualdez said.
The Speaker also stressed that the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology chaired by Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco has formed a technical working group to consolidate two related bills, the proposed E-Governance Act and E-Government Act.
Davao Oriental Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario heads the group.
Romualdez, the principal author of House Bill 3, or the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022, said that he had asked Tiangco's committee to submit a report as soon as possible in order to expedite plenary approval of the consolidated bill.
Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, and Tingog Partylists Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Jude Acidre, are the bill's co-authors.
"We are one with President BBM and the Executive department in making government transactions and delivering services in a faster, more efficient, and more transparent way through digital platform," Romualdez said.
HB 3, if passed into law, would establish an integrated, interconnected, interoperable information, resource-sharing, and communications network, which shall include internal records, management information systems, databases, and digital portals that span the entire national and local government to provide public services.
The bill would also promote the use of the internet, intranet, and emerging technologies within and across government departments for a more effective and transparent public service.
