The Department of Trade and Industry is advancing its efforts to digitize all agency transactions, aiming to make government services more accessible, efficient, and transparent for entrepreneurs and the general public.

Assistant Secretary Michel Kristian Ablan, Supervising Head of the Management Services Group, shared that the DTI is in the process of expanding its digital payment channels beyond the current business name registration system.

“We’re working on agreements with the Bureau of Treasury, the Development Bank of the Philippines, GCash, and other online payment service providers so that all DTI services, not just business name registration, can eventually be paid for through digital platforms,” Ablan said in an exclusive interview with Daily Tribune on 23 May.

DTI’s move toward full digitization would enable stakeholders to access services without visiting physical offices. These include the issuance of certifications such as the ICC and PS Mark from the Bureau of Philippine Standards, and registration for domestic bidders – services which, under the envisioned system, may soon be fully accessible online.

Ablan, who transferred to the DTI from the Career Executive Service Board in October 2023 and was officially appointed in December of the same year, emphasized the department’s commitment to innovation and operational efficiency.

“What I’m proud of in the work we’re doing is the speed and efficiency with which we deliver services,” Ablan said. 

“We’ve embraced new technologies, developed new systems, and are shifting away from legacy platforms. We’re also exploring the use of artificial intelligence.”

He also highlighted the agency’s drive for transparency: “Coming from a background in access to information advocacy, I’ve made sure we remain open with our stakeholders. We fully support the transparency provisions of the New Government Procurement Act. In fact, we’ve been broadcasting procurement activities live on YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms.”

The DTI began its digital transformation journey in 2019 by partnering with PayMaya, GCash, and Landbank’s LinkBiz for business name registration payments. Since then, the department has added more fintech partners, such as PayMongo, to help micro, small, and medium enterprises improve access to digital financial services.

As the department continues its digitalization efforts, more services are expected to be integrated into its online platforms – providing stakeholders with faster, more convenient, and secure ways to transact with the government.