E-GOVERNANCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) leads the launching of the eGov Super App at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila on June 2, 2023. Marcos said the country’s first one-stop-shop platform for government services that aims to make public transactions easier and more convenient for ordinary Filipinos is a very good step in attaining his administration’s full digital and economic transformation goals. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA – Major improvements are taking place under the presidency of Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
One of his administration’s first orders of business is to efficiently migrate government services online. This is not just a small step, but a giant leap toward bringing the government into the modern age. The goal is to make services more efficient, reduce corruption, and help the economy grow.
“Consistent with this transformative policy direction, all government offices must then ensure that their vital services are digitalized immediately,” the President said during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2023.
Stressing the urgency of the transition, President Marcos said digitalization is not something to aim for in the future—it is something we need right now.
Said the President: “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. Government must fully embrace digitalization to provide better service to the people, through its vital frontline services and its back-end functions.”
Marcos emphasized that digitalization is a must as it will not only make doing business easy and efficient but also help the country combat graft and corruption.
“Digitalization will support the government’s data-driven, science-based planning and decision-making. It is the greatest and most powerful tool, not just to improve ease of doing business, but also against many forms of graft and corruption,” he said.
President Marcos noted that the digitalization efforts will eventually be integrated into the payment systems in the country, including government banks.
“Digital payments accounted for 42 percent of the total retail payments made in 2022, whether by businesses or individuals or by the government. Its high trajectory is now well-positioned to achieve the Bangko Sentral’s target of 50 percent of total retail payments by this year (2023),” he said.
A portal for transparency, easy access to services
A big part of this digital shift is the National Government Portal, which makes government services easier for people to access. It connects different government agencies and offices, and helps them work better together. This project supports the President’s dream of a government that is efficient and transparent.
All these dovetails with the eGov PH Super App, the recent launch of which was characterized by the President as an extremely important step in heading down the road to digitalizing the bureaucracy both at the national and local levels.
President Marcos said the government must facilitate the rapid development of the country’s interconnectivity infrastructure and digitalization to bolster the economy and step up the fight against corruption.
“And … the whole idea of e-governance is something that we need to do because we have fallen behind,” President Marcos said, noting that 95 percent of people’s daily activities such as shopping, banking, and payments are now done online.
“We hope with the beginnings of this e-governance system, that a senior living in an isolated place, isolated island somewhere who, by the time we will have connectivity, can just go on to their phone [and transact business].”
The eGov PH Super App combines many government services into one easy-to-use platform. It lets people access digital IDs, apply for renewal of licenses and permits, plan trips, make payments, and stay updated on news. This will change how citizens use government services for the better.
A key feature of this transformation is the National ID System, which now has registered 87 percent of citizens.
“At 87 percent total registration, we are now closer to establishing a complete, accurate, and reliable digital database of our own for the entire population. This has already been integrated into the eGov PH app, and can be now accessed by our citizens,” President Marcos pointed out.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency last December, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy highlighted the significant shift in the Marcos administration’s approach to the nation’s digital future.
This administration’s comprehensive master plan for digitalization is divided into four key segments: connectivity, e-governance, cybersecurity, and workforce development.
Secretary Uy highlighted how the administration continues to push the boundaries of digital innovation with its flagship E-Gov PH app. “Pwede nyo ma-access yung PhilHealth nyo, yung Pag-big nyo, yung PRC license nyo, yung national ID nyo, lahat nandoon,” he said. (“You can access your PhilHealth, your Pag-Ibig, your PRD license, your national ID; everything is there.”)
The E-Gov app utilizes state-of-the-art security features to ensure your information remains safe. “We’re using facial recognition, biometrics, blockchain technology, and encryption. Even if someone were to breach the system, they wouldn’t be able to access any of your data,” the Secretary emphasized. “Everything is encrypted, and without the decryption key, the information is completely secure.”
Integrated into the eGov PH Super App, the National ID makes it easier to verify identities and deliver services quickly.
Speeding up E-Commerce
Going digital is more than just about making things easier. It’s also a smart move for the economy. In 2022, digital payments made up 42 percent of retail transactions. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas wants to hit 50 percent by the end of 2025.
“Digital payments accounted for 42 percent of the total retail payments made in 2022, whether by businesses or individuals or by the government. Its high trajectory is now well-positioned to achieve Bangko Sentral’s target of 50 percent of total retail payments by this year,” President Marcos said.
“With our E-Commerce Roadmap firmly in place, we are poised to take this digitalization drive further and beyond, utilizing e-commerce to take full advantage of new technologies,” he added.
Improving Internet speed is also a focus. By June 2024, the Philippines moved up 11 spots to 47th in fixed Internet speed. It also improved its mobile Internet ranking by eight places to 83rd.
Building the digital infrastructure
“One of the keys to continuing economic growth is infrastructure development. So, we will build better, and more,” President Marcos said.
Digital infrastructure is among the components of the administration’s PHP1.4 trillion Build Better More Program in 2024, which seeks to usher in the Golden Age of Infrastructure and support economic growth.
Among other projects in this area are the National Government Data Center with a budget of PHP1.7 billion, the National Government Portal with an allocation of PHP303 million, and the Philippine Business Databank.
These projects aim to keep government data secure and make services run smoother.
The eGov PH Super App and other projects are set to cut red tape and help fight corruption by making transactions clearer and simpler.
President Marcos also knows that not everyone will find it easy to adapt to the digital world. This is especially true for workers whose jobs might change. The government is stepping in with training programs by TESDA and DICT to ensure that everyone can shift to digital work smoothly.
Local governments are also getting involved in the action. They are actively looking to improve their services digitally by working together, and the goal is to create a more user-friendly system with the National Government Portal.
To make this digital transformation work, the government is teaming up with private companies. These businesses, which focus on data security and app development, play a vital role in making sure the eGov PH Super App and other digital services are reliable and safe.
For many people, like older adults in rural areas, the push for digital government services means a lot more than just new technology. It is a way for them to get the help they need without traveling far. Technology will allow them to make transactions and access important services with the tap of their fingers.
As President Marcos puts it, this is not only about making government services faster. It is about changing how Filipinos connect with their government.
Said the President: “We owe that to the people. We owe them to be able to do that. We should not allow them to continue to suffer from this antiquated, corrupt, and inefficient system.”
The Chief Executive also highlighted the importance of government partnership with the private sector for the successful implementation of the initiative and to ensure cybersecurity.
With projects like the National Government Portal and the eGov PH Super App, the Marcos administration is working hard to make the Philippines smarter and more connected.
The goal is not only to simplify business but also to make sure everyone benefits as the country moves forward. By using technology effectively, the Philippines can tap into its full potential. This approach promises a future that is open and fair for all Filipinos. (PNA)
