ICT focus seen speeding up economic development

Technology and e-commerce are shaping up as critical pillars of the country’s long-term progress as the government strengthens its thrust to improve the state of connectivity in the country.

Spearheading this initiative is the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which is tasked to champion a much improved technology infrastructure for the Philippines.

The government’s focus on information and communications technology has paved the way for bigger, more strategic public-private partnerships focused on the development of information and communications technology as a lever for multi-sectoral growth. “Technology and e-commerce play very important roles in for the continued development of various sectors in the Philippines, like manufacturing and retail,” says DICT Executive Consultant for E-Innovations and Project lead for Tech4Ed, Mon Ibrahim.

“The DICT is the government’s response to improving access to these platforms and pursue inclusive growth and sustainable development.” Shortly after the new agency was formalized, DICT led efforts to democratize access to technology and e-commerce through various ICT-centric projects. These include the Tech4Ed Project (Technology for Education, Employment, and to Empower Entrepreneurs towards Economic Development).

The program utilizes technology to “uplift people from the cycle of poverty, reduce inequalities, expand opportunities for decent work, and accelerate the achievement of inclusive, sustainable economic growth.”