PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA)–The Philippine government collaborates with Korea, Estonia, Singapore, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan to exchange best practices on digital governance through workshops and capacity building.
Undersecretary for eGovernment David Almirol of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Dec. 9 that the workshop will be an avenue for discussing possible solutions to challenges and concerns each country is experiencing. It will also facilitate potential collaboration among countries.
The Philippines will share the DICT’s eGov super app, the electronic local government system called ELGU, and the Philippine Identification System or the National ID.
“We know that technology comes with so many birth pains, so many challenges but we will share our humble beginnings here in the Philippines, and how we can curb these issues including bureaucracies, including turf wars of the government,” Almirol said.
The department will also highlight the collaboration among government agencies as they maintain their mandates.
DICT said that it did not expect the massive adoption of the platform resulting in 410 million transactions after the launch this year. Aside from sharing the electronic government system, the Philippines is also set to adopt Cambodia’s verification system in 2025 through a memorandum of understanding.
Chea Vandeth, Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, said that the collaboration will ensure a more innovative future. The workshop will not just bring learning but partnership among countries.
“The signing of the memorandum of understanding is a critical milestone in partnership— a mutual partnership in building a digitally inclusive community for citizens,” he said.
Malaysia also shared the same vision of fostering innovation through collaboration.
The Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castellino, stated that this approach could assist developing countries with marginalized communities in preparing for the digital age.
The DICT’s eGov app had showcased transformative power and simplified access to public services, he said.
“Digital transformation is not only about infrastructure; it’s about people. Education and lifelong learning must be crucial in preparing our workforce for the jobs of the future,” he said.
During the two-day workshop, there will be an interactive session where all the systems made by the participating countries will be demonstrated live.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledges the crucial role that digital transformation plays in national development, specifically in the tourism industry.
One of the strategies of the department in its National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028 is to digitalize tourist services in destinations, DOT Usec. Warner Andrada said, adding that the digital innovation can both provide citizens and visitors with seamless transactions.
“The Philippines’ achievement in streamlining processes through digital platforms is directly aligned with our efforts to simplify the travel experience, ensure the safety and security of tourists, and promote the richness of our heritage to the global community,” Andrada said. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
