Latest news with #DepartmentofInformationandCommunicationsTechnology
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH bags UN E-Government Award for improved digital governance
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for E-Government David Almirol Jr. receives the UN E-Government Award for the Philippines from officials of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) during the 2025 UN Public Service Forum held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in June 2025. Courtesy: UNDESA via RTVM The Philippines was recognized by the United Nations for its progress in digital governance. The country's ranking in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) has improved from 2022 to 2024, a UN report stated. The UN E-Government Award was conferred to the Philippines by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) during the 2025 UN Public Service Forum held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was indicated in the report that the Philippines has improved its classification from 'High' to 'Very High' after increasing its spot in the EGDI global ranking. Further, its rank also moved from 'High' to 'Very High' in the Online Service Index (OSI) after achieving an increase of over 15% between 2022 and 2024. ''These countries have made significant progress in their digital transformation journeys, focusing on enhancing their telecommunications infrastructure, improving online services, and investing in human capital development,'' the report stated. ''They have implemented various strategies and initiatives to boost their digital capabilities, such as expanding broadband access, developing e-government platforms, and promoting digital literacy among their populations,'' it added. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for E-Government David Almirol Jr. underscored that these milestones reflect the government's sustained efforts to digitalize public services as well as make them more accessible and secure. 'This global recognition by the UN validates the Philippines' digital transformation roadmap under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aligning with his vision to make government services more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready,' Almirol said in a press release. Almirol said the recognition follows the successful rollout of several major digital platforms by the DICT, particularly the eGov PH Super App, which has more than 13 million users and offers 47 integrated service modules with over 150 million transactions. The eGovDX platform, meanwhile, has facilitated over 500 million transactions connected to more than 1,000 national and local government agency systems. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT eyes 1M SIM cards for students, teachers in remote areas by 2026
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is subsidizing internet connectivity of students and teachers in far-flung areas through the distribution of SIM cards with free data as it aims to bridge the digital gap in far-flung communities. At a press chat in Quezon City on Thursday, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Faye Condez-de Sagon said the agency has a budget of P3 billion for the rollout of the "Bayanihan SIM" initiative. Under the program, the DICT is targeting to distribute about one million SIM cards, by at least early 2026, to students, teachers as well as non-teaching staff of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). "We are targeting to distribute about 600,000 SIM cards by the end of the year. The total number of SIM cards that would be distributed are 1,008,000 or about one million SIM cards by next year," Condez-de Sagon said. "The expected number of beneficiaries is roughly five million Filipinos," the DICT official added, noting that one SIM card can benefit an entire family or household. Each SIM card would be loaded with 25 gigabytes (GB) of data monthly for a period of one year. "Automatic renewal every month from the time na ma-activate… 12 months bayad na ang subscription," she said. (Automatic renewal every month from the time the SIM is activated... the subscription is already paid for a period of 12 months.) "Technically pinrocure natin ang mga SIM card sa mga telcos, ang benta po nila sa atin is mas mura sa market price. Ang isang SIM card na may 25GB is approximately P300, nabenta po nila sa atin nang P250," she added. (Technically, the government procured the SIM cards from telcos at lower than market prices. Each SIM card with 25GB sells for approximately P300, but were sold to the government for P250.) Apart from free SIM cards with subsidized monthly data load, the DICT official said telecommunication companies have committed to build about a hundred common towers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) sites where the SIMs would be distributed. Condez-de Sagon said the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are the partner-agencies in charge of identifying the beneficiary-schools and GIDA areas for the distribution of the free SIM cards. "For a following year, (so it may) continue, the government will have a budget again provided that rollout plan and the project is successful," she said. For his part, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said mobile internet connectivity "would not be forever." "Assumption is once they are connected… e-commerce will come in… After two years, when the economic activity in the place booms their internet connectivity would be self-sustaining. We're just starting them off with connectivity," Aguda said. The "Bayanihan SIM" program was officially launched in Kalawakan Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan—an identified GIDA site. The ceremonial launch marked the distribution of Globe-powered TM SIMs, each loaded with 25GB of monthly open-access data, to 500 students, teachers, and parents. For the coming days, the DICT is pilot-launching the project in Bani National High School Coto Annex, Masinloc, Zambales and San Nicolas Integrated School, General Luna, Quezon. About 1,500 SIM cards would be distributed by the agency in the selected schools for the initial rollout of the program. "Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that no Filipino is left offline, this initiative goes beyond simply distributing SIM cards, it is a bold step toward closing the digital divide for millions of our countrymen," said Aguda. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, and aims to promote digital inclusion by enabling learning, livelihood, and access to essential government services in far-flung communities. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos vows to continue providing internet connection in far-flung schools
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. vowed Thursday to continue the program ensuring internet connectivity among schools across the country, particularly those situated in far-flung and isolated areas. Marcos said this during his virtual interaction with teachers and students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and remote schools. This happened during his visit to Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City, together with Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda. ''Kailangan connected lalong-lalo na mga school. At kaya't mabuti nagkakaroon ng... dumadami na 'yung mga school natin na connected na. Kaya't ipagpapatuloy natin 'yung programang 'yan,'' Marcos said. (It's important that the schools are connected. The number of schools, which have internet connection, is increasing. We will continue that.) The initiative is reinforced by DICT's ongoing programs such as JuanSIM ng Bayan, the Free Public Internet Access Program, and its broader Digitalization agenda. On the other hand, the Department of Education is investing in infrastructure and digital tools to complement the connectivity drive. The following schools are among the first beneficiaries of the satellite-based internet under the joint efforts of the DICT and the DepEd: Tangalagan National High School in Apayao (CAR) Chanarian Elementary School in Batanes (Region II) Tibagan Elementary School in Bulacan (Region III) Caigdal National High School in Quezon (Region IV-A) Duyay Elementary School in Marinduque (Region IV-B) Lipata Integrated School in Bicol (Region V) Salamanca National High School in Cebu (Region VII) Nalil Elementary School in Tawi-Tawi (Region IX) Dalingap Elementary School in Misamis Occidental (Region X) Cabawa Elementary School in Surigao del Norte (Region XIII) In their virtual interaction with the President, the teachers expressed gratitude to the administration over the assistance that they are getting from the government. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT wants internet service costs down by as much as 50%
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking to bring down internet service provider (ISP) costs by as much as 50%, with the expected increase in competition and facility sharing. According to DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, the agency is looking to make internet in the country more affordable, as it targets to bring down ISP costs by 30% to 50%. 'Over time po 'yan (This will be over time). As technology becomes more advanced, the price per megabyte drops. As competition increases and as telcos become more efficient, the price will really drop,' he said during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum in Makati City. Aguda said competition is expected to increase with the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which has been ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President's signature. 'That's one, kasi darating na 'yung mga (because of the arrival of the) third-party providers that go straight to internet services, but we will harmonize it with the current telcos ngayon,' he said. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), a move that removes key filters historically used to evaluate legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness. Sought for the timeline for the cost reduction, Aguda said that this should come before the end of the administration's term in 2028. 'Before pa dapat yan. Mahirap kasing i-pin it down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. Confident ako 'yung mga telco magco-compete na eh, so malamang bababa 'yan,' he said. (It should be before (2028). It is quite difficult to pin down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. I am confident that the telcos will compete, so this will come down.) Moving forward, Aguda said the DICT also targets to increase the government's free wifi access points to 50,000 in 2028 from 15,717 in 2024. 'We are not building just fiber or satellites. We're building a more just, informed, and inclusive republic,' he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT targets to create 8M digital jobs by 2028
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to generate 8 million digital jobs in the next three years. On Saturday, the DICT said it had launched the ''Trabahong Digital'' program, which seeks to expand internet connectivity across the country and equip Filipinos with digital skills. 'Driving the digital-first economy will maximize job opportunities and business growth through digital skills empowerment and by providing our people with the tools they need to succeed,' DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said. The DICT expressed confidence in achieving its job creation target by 2028, with the help of active partnerships with the government, academic institutions, and the private sector. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
