Cayetano defends bill to digitalize government services, highlights interoperability

PHILIPPINES, January 16 - Press Release
January 16, 2025

Cayetano defends bill to digitalize government services, highlights interoperability

At a glance

• Senate Bill No. 2781 or the proposed "E-Governance Act" mandates all agencies to adopt a unified digital system.

• It aims to make government services more transparent, accessible, and user-friendly.

• The bill consolidates services via the eGovPH app, benefiting citizens and OFWs.

• Each agency is to appoint a Chief Information Officer to oversee digitalization efforts.

(January 16, 2025) - Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday defended Senate Bill No. 2781 or the proposed "E-Governance Act," which seeks to require all government agencies to digitalize through a single integrated network and legal framework.

During the plenary debate on the bill on January 15, 2025, Cayetano, who chairs the Committee on Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of interoperability for faster public service and efficient record-keeping.

"It is not per se the solution to all of our problems, but it is a tool that, if used effectively and assigned properly to various agencies, can address many of our challenges today," he said.

The bill aims to connect government services through an "Integrated Government Network" (IGN), a secure system where websites and apps from different agencies can seamlessly interact.

This will allow easier access to data and information across all agencies.

To support this, the bill proposes institutionalizing a national framework to guide agencies on the technical and informational standards needed for smooth integration.

Cayetano noted that while the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) currently has an e-governance master plan, agencies are not required to follow it.

"Under existing law, the DICT cannot really dictate or require government departments to integrate," he explained.

If passed, the bill would make digital integration mandatory, ensuring compatibility across government platforms.

It also proposes creating a Records and Knowledge Management Information System to efficiently manage government documents, records, and services.

Part of the initiative includes onboarding all government agencies to the eGovPH app, simplifying transactions for citizens.

Cayetano cited overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as a key example of those who would benefit, highlighting how interoperability would eliminate the need to navigate multiple agency-specific apps.

"The Department of Migrant Workers wants their own app. But if you're an OFW at the airport dealing with separate apps for Immigration, Migrant Workers, SSS, and others, it becomes more confusing," he said.

To ensure digital systems improve service delivery rather than create more problems, the DICT will work with agencies and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to establish standards and address potential issues.

The bill also mandates each agency to appoint a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to oversee digitalization efforts and ensure alignment with national standards.

Cayetano acknowledged the challenges of transitioning to *digital systems but expressed optimism about the bill's potential to make government services faster, more transparent, and more accessible.

"This bill is actually a product of the experience of the DICT in the last few years. This is to emphasize and articulate what they need," he said.

Having passed the interpellation stage, the bill is set to undergo amendments for fine-tuning in the coming sessions.

---

Cayetano dinepensahan ang e-gov bill tungo sa isang gobyernong digital at interoperable

Buod:

* Inaatasan ng Senate Bill No. 2781 o ang panukalang "E-Governance Act" ang lahat ng ahensya na maging bahagi ng iisang digital system.

* Layunin nitong gawing mas transparent, accessible, at user-friendly ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno.

* Bahagi nito ang pag-uugnay sa mga serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng eGovPH app.

* Bawat ahensya ay magtatalaga ng Chief Information Officer na mangangasiwa sa digitalization.

(January 16, 2025) -- Dinepensahan ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Miyerkules ang Senate Bill No. 2781 o ang panukalang "E-Governance Act" na naglalayong gawing digital ang lahat ng proseso at transaksyon sa gobyerno gamit ang iisang network at legal framework.

Sa ginanap na plenary debate nitong January 15, 2025, binigyang diin ng Committee on Science and Technology Chairperson ang kahalagahan ng pagiging "interoperable" ng lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno para sa mabilis na paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko at mahusay na record-keeping.

"It is not per se the solution to all of our problems, but it is a tool that, if used effectively and assigned properly to various agencies, can address many of our challenges today," wika ni Cayetano.

Layunin ng panukalang batas na gawing digital ang lahat ng transaksyon sa gobyerno at gawing "interoperable" ang iba't ibang website at mobile application ng mga ahensya.

Para magawa ito, bubuo ang Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) ng isang "regulated, secure, and robust" na network na tatawing "Integrated Government Network" o IGN, kung saan itutugon ang lahat ng digital platform ng gobyerno para maging konektado ang mga ito sa isa't isa.

Sa pamamagitan nito ay magiging madali ang pag-access at palitan ng mga datos at impormasyon sa pagitan ng lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno.

Sa ilalim din ng panukalang batas, magbabalangkas ang DICT ng isang framework na magiging gabay ng mga ahensya patungkol sa mga basic technical at informational standard na kailangan nilang sundin para mangyari ang e-governance.

Punto kasi ni Cayetano, bagama't may e-governance masterplan na ang DICT, hindi required ang mga ahensya na sundin ito.

"Under existing law, the DICT cannot really dictate or require government departments to integrate," wika niya.

Oras na maisabatas ang panukala, aatasan ang lahat ng ahensya na sumunod sa babalangkasing framework.

Kasabay ng pagkakaroon ng isang digital ecosystem, magkakaroon din ng isang Records and Knowledge Management Information System para sa maayos na pamamahala ng mga dokumento, record, at serbisyo ng gobyerno.

Bahagi ng panukalang e-governance ay ang pagpapahusay sa eGovPH app. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng ahensyang wala pa sa nasabing app ay aatasang sumali para mapadali ang mga government transaction para sa mga Pilipino.

Isa aniya sa mga lubos na makikinabang ay ang overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na kadalasan ay kailangan pang magpalipat-lipat ng mobile app tuwing nakikipagtransaksyon sa gobyerno.

"The Department of Migrant Workers want their own app. Pero kung OFW ka at nasa airport ka na, nasa Immigration ka na, kung may sariling app ang Immigration, ang Migrant Workers, ang SSS, et cetera, mas mahihirapan pa 'yong OFW. Magkakalituhan pa," paliwanag niya.

Para matiyak na mapapadali ang mga serbisyo imbes na maging abala, makikipagtulungan ang DICT sa mga ahensya at sa Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) sa pagtukoy sa mga potensyal na problema at pagbalangkas ng mga pamantayan.

Sa ilalim ng E-Governance Act, aatasan din ang bawat ahensya na magtalaga ng kani-kaniyang Chief Information Officer (CIO) na siyang mangangasiwa sa digitalization at magtitiyak na nasusunod ang mga pamantayan.

Pahayag ni Cayetano, may mga hamon na kaakibat ang pag-transition sa digital pero kumpyansa siyang lubos na makakatulong ang panukalang batas sa pagpapaganda at pagpapabilis ng serbisyo ng gobyerno.

"This bill is actually a product of the experience of the DICT in the last few years. This is to emphasize and articulate what they need," wika niya.

Matapos ang interpellation stage, nakatakdang sumailalim sa amendments ang panukalang batas sa mga susunod na plenary session.