IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

In the release of Ericsson's third edition of Network Society City report and Index, New York, Stockholm and London emerged as the top three ICT-savvy cities in the ranking.

According to Patrick Regardh, strategic marketing head for Ericsson global, individuals, rather than businesses or institutions, drive development resulting from ICT maturity.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago submitted a bill that aims to equip poor but deserving students free education in the field of information and communication technology (ICT).

In celebration of the National ICT month this June, Santiago authored the proposed Magna Carta of Internet Freedom, which called on the public to support Senate Bill No. 2839, otherwise known as the Free ICT College Education Act.

If approved, state colleges and universities shall be tasked to develop two-year ICT courses.

My EG Services Bhd (MyEG) has inked a joint-venture (JV) agreement with I-Pay Commerce Ventures Inc (IPCVI) to set up a JV corporation (JVC) for the purpose of engaging in the business of development and implementation of electronic government services projects in the Philippines.

This includes the provision of other services such as electronic payment in the Philippines.

The British Broadcasting Corp. and the Cable News Network rendered a series of features recently citing the 30 to 35 percent growth of the country's Information and Communications Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (ICT-BPO) sector, compared to India, which used to be the call center capital, shrunk to an all-time low of only between 10 to 15 percent.

The same reports indicated that most American firms prefer the Philippines as destination of locators because the country is the second biggest English speaking nation after the US.

The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) is an assessment and accreditation program in which prior work experience and other non-traditional means of education are awarded corresponding academic credits. Run by the Commission on Higher Education, in partnership with colleges and universities all across the country, the academic credits awarded through the program can be used to work towards a corresponding degree in the applicant's preferred field. There is the national integration study grant program for members of cultural minority groups. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)-Ched study grant program is intended for returnees and their dependents. It is a program of Ched with the Department of National Defense, and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges.

The selection came during the agency’s recent ‘Training on Documenting LGUs Good Practices’ which was participated in by 11 cities and municipalities in Region 10 and aimed at drafting a ‘reference document’ of its ‘model projects’ or ‘good practices’ that can be replicated among interested LGUs.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday 9,018,256 registered voters do not meet the requirements under the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013.

Under the law, voters who failed to submit for validation prior to the May 2016 elections shall be deactivated from the voters’ list and shall not be allowed to vote.

The House of Representatives passed on third and final reading on Tuesday the proposed E-Government Act, seeking to digitize all government services in the country.

House Bill No. 6927, overwhelmingly approved by the congressmen with a vote of 229-0-0, mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to create an e-government masterplan that will ensure the full digitization of government services and processes.

All communication operations by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) will be transferred to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), after President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III signed the bill for the Republic Act 10844.

The new bill will see to the creation of DICT where it will manage several communication agencies: Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), National Computer Center (NCC), National Computer Institute (NCI), Telecommunications Office (TELOF), National Telecommunications Training Institute (NTTI), to name a few.

The iGovPhil project is one of the components of the e-Government Master Plan of 2013-2016, which aims to maximize the use of information and communications technology (ICT) resources through shared ICT infrastructure, services and applications for national government agencies.

Senior citizen Fidel V. Ramos submitted his biometrics information to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, 36 days before the deadline for voters to complete the requirement to be able to join next year’s elections.

“I came here to update my biometrics in the Comelec as per policy and I think it is to be attributed to the efficiency of the Asingan Comelec office for sending me a warning,” said the 87-year-old former President.

A total of 9,018,256 registered voters were found to be without captured biometric data as of the last day of registration and validation for the May 13, 2013 elections on October 31, 2012, according to Comelec Resolution 9721 issued on June 26.

Biometric data refers to the automated identification of an individual, particularly his/her photograph, fingerprint, and signature.

Some voters may no longer have to endure the hot, crowded and chaotic atmosphere inside the polling precincts in the 2016 elections as some of the voting will be held inside air-conditioned shopping malls, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista, in a press briefing during the opening of the satellite registration at the Robinsons Place in Manila on Saturday, said the idea of holding elections inside the malls is part of the poll agency’s efforts to make voting more convenient for the public.

"The Commission on Audit [COA] is not technically capable to conduct a technical audit on all these ICT projects that were conceived with a good objective but implemented with selfish motives. With the President's slogan of 'Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,' it is high time that we do something about this unseen corruption," said Jade Deocampo Deinla, an information technology expert who was a Commission on Elections consultant until he got into trouble with poll body chief Sixto Brillantes Jr.

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) has backed the proposal now forming part of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package requiring the use of e-invoices and e-receipts in commercial transactions between registered companies, their customers and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In a position paper submitted to the House Committee on Ways and Means, the foreign chambers said the Philippines should optimize its use of digital technology when addressing merchant red tape and transaction flows in the country.

The private sector should take a more proactive role in driving the digital transformation in public schools through the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Adopt-a-School Program, according to think tank Stratbase Institute.

“The digital transformation of our public schools is no longer an option but an urgent necessity. Modernizing our ICT infrastructure, ensuring reliable broadband connectivity, and equipping our teachers with digital skills are foundational steps to elevate our students’ learning competencies,” Victor Andres Manhit, president of the Stratbase Institute, said.

Full digitalization for government transactions will prevent corruption and cybersecurity-related issues, the tandem of Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo Lacson and running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, maintained.

Lacson and Sotto supported the futuristic programs implemented by their ally, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in the country’s summer capital.

The government was urged to prioritize the fast implementation of the National Broadband Plan to accelerate economic recovery.

The president of independent think tank Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute (ADRi), Prof. Dindo Manhit, said this is critical in meeting the increasing demand for reliable and fast broadband services that all sectors need to sustain operations.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program" master plan supports the development of smart cities, specifically its component on township development.

This was highlighted by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar in his keynote speech during The Business World x The FREEMAN Forum in Cebu City on Friday.

Gearing up for its long-term development plans, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Bohol held its first full council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado, council chairman, presided over the meeting in which the goal to transform the province into a “smart city” was discussed.