Research and Personal Thoughts on The DICT Act of 2015

BONDOC, Maricor Cheska P.                                                                         

Activity # 2 in E-Communication                                                                   DICT Act of 2015

The definition found in the dictionary, ICT or also known as (information and communications technology - or technologies) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries.

According to the European Commission, the importance of ICTs lies less in the technology itself than in its ability to create greater access to information and communication in underserved populations. Many countries around the world have established organizations for the promotion of ICTs, because it is feared that unless less technologically advanced areas have a chance to catch up, the increasing technological advances in developed nations will only serve to exacerbate the already-existing economic gap between technological "have" and "have not" areas. Internationally, the United Nations actively promotes ICTs for Development (ICT4D) as a means of bridging the digital divide.

In an article posted by inc.net by Kristine Sabillo which is entitled, Dep’t of Information and Communications Technology created, It says that PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III signed on Monday a new law creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Malacañang said. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino signed Republic Act no. 10844, which will also rename the present Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to “Department of Transportation.”

RA 10844 states that information and communication have vital roles in nation-building and that it is the state’s policy to “ensure universal access to quality, affordable, reliable and secure ICT services.”

It should also “ensure the provision of a strategic, reliable, cost-efficient and citizen-centric information and communications technology infrastructure, systems and resources as instruments of good governance and global competitiveness.”

In the Philippines, as Republic Act 10488 was passed into a new law it divided the functions and responsibilities of communication/information and information units. This is a great move of the Aquino administration because by transferring all concerns and tasks dealing with communications to the newly-constructed Department of Information and Communications (DICT) and handing the transportation issues over to Department of Transportation, it enables both departments to focus what’s on their plates. Unlike before, when the Department of Transportation and Communications was still in-charge of all the duties and responsibilities, chances of unaddressed problems and issues were high because of one department handling two different things. Because admit or not, being accountable for these two factors and meeting the high expectation of the Filipino people when it comes to service delivery is hard.

It is high-time to promote and develop the national information and communication technology (ICT) with DICT that shall ensure the planning, coordination and implementation of the executive branch of the government. With the establishment of a free internet service that can be accessed in government offices and public areas; assisting in the dissemination of vital information essential to disaster risk reduction through the use of ICT; and ensuring and protecting the rights and welfare of consumers and business users to privacy, security and confidentiality in matters relating to ICT, among others.

Among the declared policies of DICT is the provision of the “strategic, reliable, cost-efficient and citizen-centric” ICT infrastructure. DICT aims to develop the ICT industry, a factor that Philippines is clearly lacking. Based on studies, our country is one of the countries with the slowest internet in the world. With the creation of this law, this department can focus now in formulation programs and projects that can make every netizen happy and satisfied when it comes to the consumption of internet. In fact, as of July 25, 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) a fast and free internet in most public areas. Thus, ordering the DICT to develop a national broadband planning to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technology to improve the internet speed. On that note, the purpose of improving the internet connection is not just for entertainment purposes but it can help our country in thriving in the digital age at the global level. 

When it comes to infrastructure, let me reiterate that it does not just pertain to roads, ports or visual projects that can transport products and people to far-distance locations. Today, information is much needed as a commodity for everyone. Therefore, we need a stable and stronger ICT industry for us to receive accurate, reel time and important information. And with the creation of DICT in the country, it shows a sign of global competitiveness because finally our ICT problems shall be addressed by the government. Also, the development and strengthening of ICT infrastructure can open doors of opportunity for local and global investors to bring out partnership in the business sector and enable ICT service providers. 

Also, DICT mandates the provision of accessibility of good-quality ICT. This digital age is a fast evolving era where information is easy to come and go and sometimes, too much to absorb. Being bombarded with information is better than knowing nothing at all. One of the ways to learn pretty much about everything and anything is through the social media or internet zone. But how about those people living in the secluded mountains or isolated islands, away from the civilization and internet? Only DICT can provide an answer for that through the creation of their projects. 

Moreover, there is a need to empower ICT in the country which is one of the policies of DICT. It is good to know that ICT can be used as a vehicle to promote our arts and culture especially the long-forgotten and endangered. Maybe they can create a website posting pictures, articles, blogs and feature stories accessible to anyone. Not only did we help reliving and preserving these culture and arts but also informed other people that these actually exist. Likewise, we should not forget the power of media, the power to create and destroy, power to encourage and discourage, the power to build and devastate. Take note that most of the trends today came from social media and were adapted by netizen. Through ICT, we can show the world how rich, precious, beautiful and phenomenal our country is. A glimpse of these can improve our tourism and boost our patriotism. 

Today is not just about the voice of the elite, rich or powerful. This is about everyone now. And it’s important to use ICT to voice our opinions regarding certain issues that concern us. This is not like the old times where people in the lower class shut their mouths and let the upper class decide for their fate. This is the time to step up and make a stand of our principles. And we can do that through ICT. Vice-versa, the government should listen to what the citizen say, answering their queries and providing solutions for their problems and helping them to improve their life. DICT should focus to the voice of the majority and make actions when needed.

However, when it comes to the voice of the public, DICT should make it a point that nobody’s rights and dignity should be stepped on in exercising thereof. By securing Cybersecurity policies and programs, it can prevent and suppressed the existence of cybercrime. Some people abuse the power of social media by taking advantage or bullying other people. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, some people are oblivious this power of media so we need the DICT to focus on the monitoring and regulation of rules in the world of media.

In the section 6 of the law, there are qualifications of who should be manning this department. I for one, agrees that the composition of this department shall meet all the standards for the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of service. The government should not hire officials because of the mere of “padrino system” because they are running an entire country and not just a mere town or province. 

It is good to know the government has this vision on improving the dissemination of information to every Filipino. Reading what the basically mandates can create hopes that this the answer to our long-time prayers. Every section mightily describes what is and what not DICT is. I just hope that this won’t just remain on a piece of paper and be buried by other responsibilities.

The motives are good but will there be some actions this time? Well, let’s wait what the government will do. But overall, the creation of DICT is good only if all the duties and responsibilities written thereof would materialize into actions. By then, Philippines will wake up from its long slumber and will once again be dubbed as the “Rising Tiger of Asia.” Who knows that a mere law can change our fate? We still have thousands of kilometer to travel, more rivers to cross and mountains to climb. If we start now, come what may, we will get there. It might take a lot of time, effort and sacrifices but I strongly believe that we will get there. Someday, we just have to start now through the implementation of laws for the good of our country like the DICT.

Let me quote what I have read from an article entitled, Senate OKs bill creating ICT department by Yuji Gonzales of the Inquirer. According to Sen. Ralph Recto, sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate committee on science and technology, the DICT would be the “primary department in charge of developing, planning, and promoting the government’s ICT agenda.”

Recto said the creation of DICT would also pave the way for easier government transactions, including transfer of records and requests for documents under an integrated database, “so that knowledge is transferred, resources are shared, databases are built and agency networks are linked together.”

“Permits, licenses, land titles should now be electronically applied for, processed and issued,” he said.

Recto added the DICT was also eyeing to expand the country’s technology sector by attracting more investment opportunities for ICT firms through establishing international linkages to “speed up industry growth and competitiveness.”

“The DICT is also mandated to beef up consumer protection policies to protect consumers against lousy service, and at the same time ensure business users’ right to privacy,” Recto added.

The bill would also tap the proposed DICT to coordinate with the National Telecommunications Commission, the National Privacy Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center for the implementation of the country’s policies on cybersecurity.

The Recto-sponsored bill is a consolidated version of separate bills filed Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Teofisto Guingona III, Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes and Cynthia Villar.

The functions of the new law were clearly stated from the article entitled, Dep’t of Information and Communications Technology created by the Inquirer which states that: The law requires that the secretary and his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries should have “at least seven (7) years of competence and expertise in any of the following: information and communications technology; information technology service management; information security management; cybersecurity, data privacy, e-Commerce, or human capital development in the ICT sector.”

Functions

Regional offices will be created to help implement plans and programs while there is an option to form “sectoral and industry task forces.”

RA 10844 provides for 6 months transition period “for the full implementation of the transfer of functions, assets and personnel.”

The new law defines information and communications technology as “the totality of electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive, transmit, present and disseminate information.”

Its powers and functions include policy and planning; improved public access; resource sharing and capacity-building; and consumer protection and industry development.

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) is basically our society’s efforts to teach its current and emerging citizens valuable knowledge and skills around computing and communications devices, software that operates them, applications that run on them and systems that are built with them. The Philippines needs to improve in terms of the ICT because when it comes to innovation, implementation from the government is missing. The ICT’s functions include competence and expertise in any of the following: information and communications technology; information technology service management; information security management; cybersecurity, data privacy, e-Commerce, or human capital development in the ICT sector which will definitely help Filipinos improve on things which are already existing in other successful countries. It is time for the Filipinos to learn, value and educate ourselves from new things and discoveries.