The Philippines and South Korea have commenced discussions on the building of telecommunication satellites and data centers in the country.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Friday that officials from the two countries conducted their first meeting on 16 January at the New World Hotel in Makati City as part of the Korean-Philippine Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP).

NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming Joseph Capuno said South Korea will be sharing technical advice on three EIPP projects under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), namely, the National Communications Satellite Roadmap for the Philippines, the Implementation Plan for the Philippine E-Government Master Plan, and the Implementation Plan for the Philippines for an Integrated Data Center.

Combined efforts

“I am optimistic that, through our combined efforts, we will pave the way for a future in which both nations thrive in the global economy, driven by innovation, collaboration and shared progress,” Capuno said.

The Philippines and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding last year to collaborate on the three projects, following the launch of the EIPP by Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance in 2020.

The first EIPP meeting was co-organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.

Satellite broadband in 483 areas

In 2023, the DICT announced that it had completed the installation of satellite broadband in 438 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, under the Marcos administration’s desire to deliver internet to digitally disconnected Filipinos or some 65 percent of the country’s population.

The government also aims to ramp up digital connections between government agencies for faster public services, following the launch of eGov PH app.

Through the mobile app, the public can send requests to pertinent agencies for permits and licenses, create and update accounts, and monitor transactions with the government.

Last year, the DICT reported that 24 government agencies had already integrated their systems into the app.

More than half accomplished

DICT chief of staff for E-Governance Mon Gutierrez said officials have been working double-time to accomplish more than half of DICT’s digital transformation programs for 22 other government departments and 1,700 local government units in helping boost the country’s digital economy.

“There are studies that in 10 to 15 years, the amount of digital transformation happening in any country will be substantial. We see that we’ll be able to surpass what the overseas Filipino workers are contributing to the Philippine economy which is about 10 percent of gross domestic product or GDP,” he said.