Cisco, DICT link up to build tech infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — Multinational tech giant Cisco is tying up with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to build a harmonized, interoperable and integrated government ICT infrastructure.

The partnership will focus on enabling government agencies to implement hybrid work arrangements securely for their workers. Both sides would work to power DICT’s e-Government Masterplan under Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration “collaboration pillar.”

Cisco will provide collaboration tools such as Webex boards, room kits and licenses as well as integrated security solutions to bolster DICT’s security posture.

ICT Secretary Ivan John Uy and Cisco ASEAN president Bee Kheng Tay signed the partnership Wednesday in ceremonies at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel Manila.

Also signing the agreement were Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Soriano-Nicart and ICT Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado.

“We are confident of this partnership. The initiative is set to enhance the government’s ability to collaborate more effectively and will greatly boost the government’s drive toward digital transformation,” Uy said.

The initiative is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service, enhance inter-agency collaboration through digitization and empower public servants to concentrate on their mandates by reducing stress levels on traffic congestion and complex platforms.

“We are delighted to further our long-standing relationship with DICT by providing them with the means to collaborate without compromising on security. We look forward to leveraging our rich ecosystem and expertise in working with government agencies globally to help build a future-ready ecosystem in the Philippines through the deployment of innovative technology and solutions, starting with our secure collaboration portfolio to power hybrid work,” Nicart said in her presentation for Country Digital Acceleration.

The partnership is set to secure a safe and comfortable experience for hybrid and remote work in the Philippines after Cisco studies reported that the majority of Filipino employees preferred hybrid work and have simultaneously learned more in this arrangement.

The studies have also shown that Filipino employees saved more earnings, fostered better work relationships with colleagues, and increased productivity through hybrid and remote work.