MANILA – Everything now is digital. The global economy has shifted online and has never looked back. To keep pace with the dynamic digital economy, governments worldwide are investing massively in digital infrastructure and taking their digital programs to the next level.
The Philippines is no exception, and the Marcos administration is stepping up to the challenge of digitalization.
In his 10-point agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. outlined his vision for a “Digital Philippines.”
The government has since made significant strides in bringing digital technology to the far-flung areas, with projects to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy, and create growth opportunities for Filipinos nationwide.
Powering Digital Transformation
The Philippines is among the 194 member-states of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). The ITU also counts among its members more than 1,000 companies, universities and international organizations.
In 2019, the ITU launched the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) initiative in partnership with Cisco, one of the leading companies in the IT industry, which supports countries in building digital capacities of their citizens, particularly those in underserved communities.
The selected DTCs become part of a global network of institutions to accelerate the uptake of digital technologies among citizens and boost the capacity of young entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises to succeed in the digital economy.
The ITU selected the Philippines as one of its DTCs in the Asia-Pacific region, providing the country with various opportunities to scale up its digitalization initiatives, ushering in the country’s journey to full digital transformation.
“No Filipino will be left behind”
In his 2023 State of the Nation Address, President Marcos said: “Digitalization is the call of today; not the call of the future — but of the present. It is here. It is needed, and it is needed today.”
Taking the cue from the President, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the government’s ICT arm, at once initiated measures to ramp up existing projects, promote and expand digital literacy, and scale up people’s digital skills and capacity.
To boost its Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Project, the DICT launched complementary skills-enhancement and industry-development programs build capacities especially in unserved and underserved communities.
Launched in 2016, Tech4ED “works with an integrated model that links together the physical, digital, and human components of capacity development.”
The “physical” DTCs serve as hubs offering capacity development while the online platforms provide a large digital infrastructure for learning content and performance monitoring. The program guarantees high-quality training by balancing a thorough suite of digital tools with wide-ranging hands-on and social-learning experiences.
It serves as an on-the-ground learning space where people can access training, resources, and support. The centers also provide free WiFi for participants to access digital materials..
Delivered in collaboration with local governments, the training programs have considerably contributed to Tech4Ed-DTC’s success.
Technology to the grassroots
Notably, the project achieved numerous “firsts” under the Marcos administration.
“Truly, in a time when communities and societies have embraced digitalization, there is no excuse for governments, national or local, to allow themselves to be left behind,” the President told key officials and representatives of local government units (LGUs) during the Local Governance Summit 2024. “It is incumbent upon us to promote these smart solutions, such as innovative technologies and strategies, so we can maximize its advantages, especially in the face of challenges that threaten the overall well-being of our constituents.”
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy echoed this commitment: “The purpose of DICT is to bring that aspiration of our President to every Filipino. No Filipino should be left behind. No Filipino will be left behind.”
In 2022, the DICT launched the first barangay-based DTC in Zamboanga City. Hosted by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the initiative was warmly welcomed by the local government. The DICT provided computers, tablets, and a printer for the community to use in the skills training conducted in the center.
Leading the SK Mercedes, Councilor Cary John Pioc said, “We will take advantage of the ICT packages provided by DICT. We will encourage more youth in Mercedes and the nearby barangays as well to be trained on basic digital skills to enhance digital literacy. We will incorporate activities under the SK plan to conduct a train-the-trainer program to provide users with job-ready skills, improve workplace efficiency, and enhance chances of employability.”
In 2023, the first municipal-based DTC was launched in the town of Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte, which gave the local community a hub to nurture their ICT skills. The DTC also serves as a co-working space and a skills-training area.
Liloy Mayor Roberto L. Uy Jr. said the DTC encourages their constituents “to work and stay in our municipality, in order for us to grow, to make our community more progressive. Dito sila nabubuhay, dito rin sila gagastos (This is where they live, this is also where they will spend). It would have a domino effect on our economy.”
The DICT also partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Japanese government for the first DTC in Central Luzon in April 2024. The collaboration gave support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other Pampanga stakeholders to get the most out of technology, providing training and improved access to digital tools.
“The center will support enterprises in Central Luzon to overcome the digital divide and address the lack of digital infrastructures that make it hard for small businesses to succeed in a digitalized economy,” said Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office in the Philippines.
The Japanese government funded the initiative through the ILO’s Bringing Back Jobs Safely Project, expanding digital economic opportunities.
A similar DTC is planned for Cotabato City.
As the Philippines continues its journey towards a “Digital Philippines” under the Marcos administration, more communities stand to benefit from DTCs, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in the digital age.
