Co approves bill to institutionalize E-governance, create Infostructure Management Corporation
THE House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Ako Bicol Party List Representative Elizaldy Co, has approved a substitute bill that aims to institutionalize the transition of the government to e-governance in the digital age. The bill also seeks to establish the Philippine Infostructure Management Corporation (PIMC) to enhance the delivery of government services through interoperability and maximization of resources. The bill, which is a legislative priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., was authored by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, TINGOG Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos.
The bill seeks to promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in transforming government processes, operations, and service delivery into more citizen-centric, interconnected, and transparent governance. It covers all executive, legislative, and judicial offices, including local government units, state universities, and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, as well as other instrumentalities that provide services covering business and non-business related transactions.
The passage of the bill is seen as a critical step toward the country’s digital transformation, enabling the government to provide fast, transparent, and efficient services to the public. President Marcos emphasized the need to take full advantage of new technologies and techniques to provide the Filipino people with the best services they deserve, making the government more adaptive to fast-changing developments.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy expressed his support for the bill, calling it timely and urgent legislation that will allow the government to provide services to all citizens in a more proactive, seamless, and effective manner.
The creation of PIMC is seen as a way to improve the delivery of government services to the public by leveraging technology to provide faster and more accessible services to Filipinos. PIMC will be responsible for implementing e-governance initiatives across different government agencies, ensuring more efficient and effective government service delivery.
Representative Co lauded the passage of the bill, saying that it is a significant milestone in modernizing the government’s systems and processes. “With the establishment of the Philippine Infostructure Management Corporation, we can ensure that our citizens will have access to efficient, reliable, and responsive government services,” he said.
With the approval of the bill at the committee level, it will now proceed to the plenary for further deliberation and approval. The passage of the bill is expected to benefit the government and the public by enabling them to transact with the government in a more convenient and efficient manner. The bill is a significant step toward the country’s digital transformation, ensuring more citizen-centric, interconnected, and transparent governance.
