DOST says separate ICT body unnecessary

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the call of the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) stakeholders in urging the government to create a body to govern the booming sectors, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), on the other hand, reiterated its position that creating a Department of Communication and Information Technology (DICT) is not necessary.

DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo said that since the DOST has the competence and experience to uphold the interest of the ICT sector, it may not be necessary to install another department to oversee the sector.

Earlier, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) emphasized that a separate department to handle the sector will give boost to the country’s big revenue contributor.

NCIP chairperson Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said that the Philippines should install a DICT, as it has already taken off as one of the world’s top outsourcing destination, otherwise, this opportunity will be wasted.

“The growth of the ICT sector is not the ‘handiwork’ of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It’s a natural evolution brought about by the cooperation of the stakeholders,” said Sigue in an attempt to convince the administration the importance of setting up a DICT, instead of putting it under the umbrella of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) via the implementation of Executive Order 47.

“We owe it to you [stakeholders] to consult you on your concerns. We will try to fix them and hopefully reverse the process,” said Llamas.

The Executive Order issued by the President last year was signed to transfer the former Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), under the shelter of DOST. This move has disappointed the ICT stakeholders all over the country, specifically that there was no consultation held with the players.

“The executive order 47 downgraded the value and underestimated the importance of ICT as tool for a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines and a government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services and a thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” stakeholders said in an earlier official appeal to the President.

The group further said that the implementation of the EO has unjustly overlooked the effectiveness of CICT as an adviser and channel of sound government ICT policies for the last ten years, along with its accomplishments that surpassed the expectations of the ICT community, despite of its budget, which is a pittance compared to the other existing government agencies, which have no clear-cut directions and “no accomplishments to show.”

The group reiterated that by scrapping the CICT, EO 47 has derailed plans to fast track development and provide opportunities for investment and jobs to other regions in the country. (FREEMAN)