ADB: Philippines needs stronger ICT

The Philippines could more fully reap the benefits of ICT by further strengthening business tools and models

A study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has underscored the need to strengthen the Philippine Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s capacity to involve various sectors and levels of government.

Titled “Government at a Glance Southeast Asia 2019,” the study is the first edition of the “Government at a Glance” series for the Southeast Asian region and provides the latest available data on public administration in the 10 ASEAN member countries.

The Philippines, the study pointed out, does not have a standardized model for ICT project management at the central government level.

Furthermore, it revealed that the country does not also measure the direct financial benefits of ICT projects for central government, businesses, or its citizens.

“The Philippines could more fully reap the benefits of ICT by further strengthening business tools and models,” Edwin Lau, Head of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s budgeting and public expenditures, told reporters.

“Currently, digital technologies transform the way citizens live, work and interact.”

Along with this, the disruption brought about by technologies such as social media, mobile and smartphones, artificial intelligence, blockchain and advanced data analytics is also raising citizen’s expectations of public service efficiency, quality, responsiveness, and convenience.

Thus, there is a need for a coordinated digital government approach that provides seamless and cross-service synergies, as well as helps less well-resourced sub-national bodies.

“The Philippines must quickly adapt to this new and challenging environment, rethinking internal procedures, upgrading service delivery approaches, re-framing ways of interacting with citizens and adjusting governance frameworks,” the study said.