ICT group reminds senators on DICT bill

By Katlene O. Cacho

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

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THE National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), one of the staunchest supporters for the establishment of a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), said yesterday that they are awaiting four senators to sign the committee report on the DICT bill.

The group reported that the bill got overwhelming support from various groups that understand the economic benefits of the ICT sector, the country’s sunrise industry and one of its economic drivers.

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NICP chair Jocelle Sigue said the DICT bill was included in the 41 priority bills of Congress.

“We will be sending ‘courtship letters’ to Sens. Chiz Escudero, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Joker Arroyo and Koko Pimentel,” Sigue said.

Crucial

Sigue said the establishment of a permanent body for the ICT/BPO industry is crucial to the industry.

The organization said the Philippines is one of the few Asian countries without a DICT like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

The group also said the establishment of a central ICT agency will further promote ICT in the country as a tool to create jobs, improve government services and empower Filipinos.

“ICT education, especially in the countryside, has helped a lot of small and medium enterprises, the sector which we considered an economic driver of the country. With this, we need to take a look at strengthening further our ICT industry,” Sigue added.

Once the bill is passed, DICT will assume the communications-related functions of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and will absorb the Commission on Information and Communications Technology under the Office of the President, the DOTC’s National Computer Center, Telecommunications Office and Communications Planning Service Division.

The new agency will also set directions for the ICT industry and name a point person who will be responsible for its development. The government sees the sector as vehicle to generate $23 billion revenues and create 1.5 million jobs by 2016.