The Philippine National Oil Corp. (PNOC) recently broached the idea of reviving a government-owned data center, as its own data storage is nearly at full capacity. The PNOC, during a recent meeting with executives from the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the National Computer Center (NCC), indicated that they want to justify the building of a state-run IDC by hosting e-government applications on it.
“Essentially, the PNOC will allow their own data center to host e-government services, which would also make the IDC a viable recipient for e-government funding,” according to Virgilio Peña, chairman of the CICT and one of the proponents of a state-run IDC.
According to Peña, the PNOC’s data storage demand has been increasing while its existing storage capacity is decreasing. On the other hand, Peña insisted that the PNOC could not justify this plan, considering the government’s austerity programs.
Peña said an agreement not to pursue the project was reached between the PNOC and CICT during a meeting, citing cost constraints as well as long-term sustainability of the project.
“There are several options available for the PNOC if it wants to use additional storage, which includes outsourcing their needs to existing data centers. For now, it’s the most cost-effective and maintenance-free,” Peña said.
On the other hand, Peña said they may still pursue the establishment of an IDC once the CICT becomes a full-fledged department.
Nearly two years ago, Peña proposed the establishment of the e-Government Project, a single building that would act as the central point of all IT-related government projects that includes an IDC.
The facility was supposed to be housed at the Fort Bonifacio Global City. Peña, who chaired the former Information Technology and E-Commerce Council, tapped the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the National Development Company to do the projects, but both organizations, citing high building and maintenance costs.
Autor: Alexander Villafania
Quelle: INQ7, 24.12.2004
